Haringey and Hackney could merge benefits services (From Haringey Independent)

Haringey and Hackney could merge benefits services

12:00pm Friday 5th November 2010 in Top Stories By Elizabeth Pears

Council chiefs in Haringey and Hackney are in secret negotiations to merge services, the Haringey Independent can reveal.

Up to six areas of services offered to residents could be shared by Haringey and Hackney Council, according to a senior council source who said the idea was discussed last week.

Sharing the servives, including housing and council tax benefits, and the customer service call centres, would potentially help the councils save money as they face annual budget cuts of 7.1 per cent following the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.

The revelation follows an announcement from west London local authorities - Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster City - that they are considering sharing every council service to save millions of pounds.

However, Haringey Council denied the existence of concrete proposals, but revealed that if "exploratory work" resulted in proposals they would be reported to cabinet.

In a statement, the council said: "Whereas most councils are exploring whether there might be potential for greater efficiency through sharing, there are no proposals to share services with Hackney.

"If any exploratory work results in proposals they will be reported to cabinet for consideration."

The source said the matter was openly discussed at a Labour Party meeting in Hornsey last week, and is common knowledge among party members, adding concerns were mounting that the service "sharing" was more akin to a Hackney takeover.

Many party members were concerned a merger would lead to job losses in Haringey.

Hackney Council was not available for comment at the time of going to press.