Tamworth Borough Council continues to strengthen collaboration with neighbouring authorities to improve service quality, deliver better value for money, and build resilience across key operational areas.

Our shared service arrangements play a crucial role in modernising how we work, supporting specialist capacity, and preparing for potential future local government changes.

Strategic and Operational Collaboration

We work closely with Lichfield District Council, sharing an Internal Audit Service that provides strong assurance, professional expertise, and cost-effective oversight. Lichfield also hosts our shared Health & Safety Team, Building Control service, and the Joint Waste Service, which delivers waste and recycling services efficiently across both areas.

We also partner with South Staffordshire District Council, who provide the South Staffordshire Legal Service for both Tamworth and Lichfield. This gives us access to specialist legal expertise that would be more costly to maintain independently. In addition, we continue to benefit from support from Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council on conservation matters.

Regional Collaboration and Future Opportunities

At a regional level, we remain actively involved in discussions with other Staffordshire councils about emerging government plans for devolution and Local Government Reorganisation. Shared-service models, especially in areas such as legal, regulatory, digital, and waste form part of wider planning around long-term sustainability.

Working together enables councils to:

• Share specialist skills and reduce duplication thus protecting frontline services.
• Address common recruitment and retention challenges.
• Improve service experience and consistency across boundaries.
• Unlock efficiencies that support financial resilience.

Looking Ahead

As financial pressures and workforce challenges continue to shape the local government landscape, shared services will remain a practical and strategic tool for ensuring Tamworth delivers high-quality, value-for-money services.

Our collaborative approach supports the council’s ambition to be modern, resilient, and community-focused; while ensuring we are well-positioned for any future structural change across Staffordshire.