Shared services - where county and district councils come together to integrate service provision – goes from vision to working reality in Lincolnshire.
Under the Lincolnshire Shared Services Programme (LSSP), procurement and legal services are the first to be delivered via this shared approach started in April 2008.
The thinking behind shared services is that local government organisations can join forces to improve service delivery models across two or three tiers.
Benefits of the shared approach include economies of scale, cost savings, removal of duplication and the potential for new and more efficient ways of working.
For staff, a shared services environment often leads to enhanced career progression opportunities and the chance to develop greater expertise in specialist areas, not to mention the advantages that come with being part of a much wider and broadly skilled professional community.
LSSP comprises eight local authorities – the county council and Lincolnshire’s seven district councils.
Mark Cozens took on his role as Director of LSSP at the beginning of 2008 on secondment from The County Council, based within North Kesteven district council in Sleaford.
“Lincolnshire is one of the first county’s to implement enhanced two-tier working,” said Mark. “The shared services that we are implementing for legal and procurement enable all participants to reap the benefits of working together.
“This is an important step for Lincolnshire and we look forward to reaping the benefits of partnership.”
Legal Services
The newly-established legal services practice covers six councils – the county council, South Holland, Boston, East Lindsey, West Lindsey and North Kesteven.
Legal staff previously working within the district councils have transferred to the county council but will remain in their current locations and deliver services locally.
“We expect the new approach to deliver significant cost savings, mainly because we are effectively bringing legal services in-house,” said David Coleman, Assistant Practice Director for Lincolnshire County Council. “Some of the district councils previously did not have legal expertise and were forced to pay expensive private practice rates.”
As well as the cost savings, other benefits of the new approach will be the ability to share expertise more readily as a single professional team and to explore other ways of working more efficiently across the map.
One exciting development will be the opportunities to generate income by delivering legal services to other authorities and public bodies. “The idea is to build a portfolio of external clients, thus subsidising the costs ever further.“
Benefits of working for Lincolnshire County Council and LSSP
In choosing to work for Lincolnshire County Council and LSSP you will join an Organisation striving to provide employees with a positive employment experience. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, regular employee supervision, strong and supportive leadership, open communication and a commitment to employee professional development.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
Pay and benefits:
- A minimum of 23 days' annual leave
- 8 days' paid Bank Holidays
- Travel and subsistence allowance
- Car user allowance and lease car facilities - if applicable
- Relocation scheme - if applicable
- The payment of one professional fee - if applicable
- Final Salary Pension Scheme
- Access to employee counselling and support
- Discounted schemes i.e. gym membership, private medical cover and insurance schemes
Family friendly employment policies:
- Special and family leave provisions
- Employment break scheme
- A range of work / life balance policies including flexible working, job share, term time and part year working
- Childcare voucher scheme
Education and Personal development:
- An induction programme and annual appraisal
- A variety of in-house and external training courses
- Access to formal qualifications
- A commitment to Continuous Personal Development
- Formal links with Lincoln College and the Universities of Lincoln, Nottingham Trent and Sheffield Hallam
Local
Scheme of Conditions of Service
Strategy
Detailed
Business Case for the formation of a Single Legal Service for Lincolnshire
