Two Welsh councils plan to scrap a merger of highways departments claiming it would be more expensive to continue the plans.
Conwy CBC and Denbighshire CC aimed to save more than £1.3m through the joint-working after the application of shared services across other departments.
The local authorities already shared streetlighing services and have a joint head of highways and infrastructure - appointed three years ago – with savings of £300,000 delivered.
But, as Surveyor went to press, a report due to go the Denbighshire’s scrutiny committee last night called on members to scrap the merger.
The committee document stated full integration would be ‘prohibitive’ and ‘in addition, the perceived advantages appear not to outweigh the considerable disruption and possible dip in service involved.’
According to the figures, the local authorities state the merging of departments would cost more than £750,000 across a three-year period, rising to more than one million in a worse case scenario.
A statement from Denbighshire CC chief finance officer said: ‘One of the key drivers of entering into collaborations is cost saving. If no case can be made for savings, or as a minimum improved service at no extra cost then the project should not continue as proposed.
‘The collaboration has produced successful joint services such as street lighting and there is no reason why these should not continue. The council should not continue to pursue the project in its current format but should continue to explore ways of delivering savings from joint working in this area.’
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