Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group

3. Local Government Experience of Efficiency Reforms –
Progress to Date
3.1 Shared Services
3.1.1 Many similar functions and activities, under the same legislation, are carried
out across local government. While local circumstances and priorities may
sometimes differ, there are nevertheless opportunities for greater
cooperation between local authorities in service provision. Shared services
provide an opportunity to increase efficiency through reorganisation and
sharing of assets with others and an opportunity to minimise duplication of
processes, accommodation and management effort across local authorities.
As well as the potential for financial savings, shared services can also lead
to service improvements and greater consistency. In order to work well,
shared service models must involve the redesign of processes, and there
are opportunities to learn from the experience of existing shared service
approaches.
3.1.2 Local authorities already have extensive experience to date of shared or
joint service provision. The Government Statement and the ‘Transforming
Public Services’ report published in 2008 identified shared services as a
priority area for the public service as a whole. At nation-wide level in local
government services, examples include:
• IT programme design and support (the Local Government Computer
Services Board (now known as the Local Government Management
Agency) design IT programmes for most local authorities);
• Industrial relations support and advice (the Local Government
Management Services Board (now known as the LGMA) acts a
repository of expertise in industrial relations and employment law
issues so that this is not required in each individual local authority);
• Procurement system (LAQuotes system hosted by Kerry County
Council);
• Health and Safety (a specialist office to provide advice and support to
all local authorities on best practice and their obligations in this area
under legislation, hosted by Meath County Council);
• Trans Frontier Shipment of Waste (a specialist office to administer the
notification procedure for cross-border movements of waste as
required under an EU Regulation, hosted by Dublin City Council);
• Non-Principal Private Residencies Charge (NPPR) (single web-based
payment collection system).
3.1.3 At regional level, shared service models have been adopted for different
regions that involve the participation of most if not all county/city councils.
These include:
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