URL: https://watford.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=7172

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: Cabinet received a report of the Senior Project Manager that set out details of the collaborative work between Watford Borough Council and St Albans City and District Council on a business case to share Human Resources and Organisational services.   The Mayor invited Councillor Rodrigues to introduce the report.   Councillor Rodrigues explained the content of the report and the details of the proposed shared service between Watford and St Albans councils. Both councils were committed to close collaboration. He added that the proposal to share HR services was not driven by financial savings, but to ensure that the councils were better placed to support the workforce with any issues and opportunities that would arise through Local Government Reform. In addition, it would increase resilience and enable the sharing of insight. He noted that Watford would remain the lead authority.   Councillor Bell welcomed the co-operation between the councils. He asked whether this would be expanded to other councils, for example Dacorum Borough Council.   The Mayor responded that he and the Chief Executive had discussed the opportunity with their counterparts at Dacorum. However, due to the prospective timeline for Local Government Reform, it was unlikely that there would be any additional shared services.   The Chief Executive added that if additional shared service opportunities did arise, they would be considered. It was important to remain agile and to grasp opportunities if they arose. At Chief Executive level there were active discussion about sharing resources and services.   The Mayor invited Cabinet to vote on the recommendation.   Resolved –   That Cabinet recommends to Council thecreation of a shared HR&OD service between WBC and SADC with the aim to go live from October 2025. WBC to continue as the Lead Authority.    

Date of Decision: June 2, 2025