THE LEADER of Oxford City Council has said the authority is in discussions to 'extend [its] partnership' with Cherwell after it announced it was scrapping a multi-million pound scheme. 

The district council revealed yesterday it had decided to ‘formally end' an eight-year service-sharing partnership with South Northamptonshire Council, which had resulted in more than £3m worth of savings.

It comes as the running of Northamptonshire County Council has been taken over by government commissioners following a cash crisis, with a review looking into the possibility of a unitary authority.

This has promoted Cherwell to ‘consider what is best for its residents’ and a closer partnership with Oxfordshire County Council is currently on the table.

Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council has now said the authority is also in discussions with the Cherwell over areas of 'mutual interest'.

She said: “The impact of local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire on Cherwell District Council, with its shared service organisation has meant they need to look at alternative arrangements.

"As a neighbouring local authority, providing similar services to residents, Oxford City Council already works cooperatively with Cherwell in a number of areas including public health and homelessness as well as fraud detection.

"We are also in discussion with Cherwell about the potential for exploring areas of mutual interest and extending our existing partnership arrangements.

"Whatever happens, we will all be seeking to ensure the right decisions are made in the interests of residents and businesses everywhere.”

Cherwell and South Northants councils currently share a chief executive and leadership team as well as a number of other council services after joining forces in 2010.