Decision
Analysis
outcome: Recommendations were approved, noting the success of Xentrall over the eighteen years since its formation.
summary: The decision involves updating Cabinet Members on the progress and performance of Xentrall Shared Services, a partnership between two councils.
topline: The Leader of the Council has decided to approve recommendations acknowledging the success of Xentrall Shared Services over eighteen years.
reason_contentious: This issue is not particularly contentious as it mainly focuses on acknowledging the success and savings achieved by the partnership.
affected_stakeholders: ["Cabinet Members", "Xentrall Shared Services staff", "Local residents"]
contentiousness_score: 2
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://democracy.darlington.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2024
Decision Maker:
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: Yes
Purpose:
Content: The Leader of the Council introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Resources and Governance to update Cabinet Members on the progress and performance of Xentrall Shared Services. The submitted report outlined the background to the establishment of Xentrall Shared Services, the Stockton and Darlington Partnership, which was established in May 2008 and was now in its seventeenth year; stated the agreement covered ICT, Transactional HR, Transactional Finance and Design and Print; the initial savings that were identified were £7.4M over the original ten year period of the partnership; those savings had been achieved plus additional efficiencies and benefits and significant additional savings; quality and performance of services had improved; and that both Councils had benefited both financially and through a continued programme of service improvements. RESOLVED - It is recommended that Cabinet note the report and acknowledge the continuing success of Xentrall over the eighteen years since it was formed. REASON - The recommendation is supported to allow Members to receive information about the progress of the partnership and acknowledge the continuing success of Xentrall and the savings it has achieved over the eighteen years since it was formed.
Date of Decision: July 13, 2026