Agreed in August 2007, the partnership has brought a series of lasting benefits to both Councils and was the first of its kind in the UK involving authorities from two different tiers. Brentwood BC pays ECC £30,000 a year for the services of a shared Chief Executive, a saving of nearly £100k per year. 

Since 2007 Brentwood Borough Council and Essex County Council have led the way in delivering more shared back office functions, including HR, Communications and this Spring will see the delivery of a shared finance function, giving taxpayers in Brentwood an overall saving of approximately £451,000 a year. 

Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Cllr Louise McKinlay, said: “The benefits of the shared working arrangements to Brentwood residents are plain to see. Not only have they saved the taxpayer £1.2m to date, which has allowed front line service to increase, but they have also led to a greater understanding and more joined up approach between the two organisations. I look forward to continuing the positive working relationship, which has been established between the two Authorities, as we continue to deliver for our residents and save even more money in senior management costs.”

“I personally want to express my gratitude to Joanna Killian for the role she has played in bringing us forward to be a considerably stronger council.  It is under her direction that Brentwood now has new management arrangements, a steady financial position and built up a healthy level of reserves, all putting us in a stronger position to continue working smarter and generate savings and value for money for our residents.” 

Leader of Essex County Council, Cllr Peter Martin, said: “Both Joanna and myself have gained invaluable insight into how we can work much closer and better with our District partners as a result of sharing this role. It was the first of its kind and the last four years are testament to how well it has worked. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Brentwood Borough Council on a number of projects and strengthening our close relationship, but both Essex and Brentwood have significant challenges to deal with and it is important that we both have a Chief Executive who can give complete focus to dealing with those challenges.”

Chief Executive, Joanna Killian, said: “The past four years have been very interesting for me. Brentwood is a great Council that has made strong progress over the past few years and now is a good time for me to take a step back and focus on my responsibilities with the County Council. Even though I will no longer be Chief Executive, I will keep my involvement through some of the ongoing projects we are jointly running. I know it has strong senior leadership in place to take it forward.” 

Recent changes to the management structure at Brentwood Borough Council mean arrangements for April onwards are already in place and a new Chief Executive will not be recruited. Alison Crowe’s remit as Managing Director will extend to cover the management of the council, as the council’s most senior officer after 31 March 2012.

Notes to editors

• Under the agreement Brentwood Borough Council paid Essex County Council £30,000 a year for the services of a Chief Executive. This was not part of Joanna Killian’s salary.
  
• However In recognition of the Chief Executive’s changing role and given the challenging financial situation Essex County Council is facing; she has volunteered to reduce her salary to £210,000 effective from April 2012. This entirely voluntary reduction in her salary of over six per cent from April 2012 is in addition to the five per cent she took in this financial year (2011-2012). 
• ECC will be confirming this next Tuesday (7th February) at Full Council.
• Joanna Killian’s current salary is £225,000