Neighbours in link-up deal

Oldham and Rochdale councils are working on a deal to work more closely together.

Oldham councillors are keen to get more services delivered by its big business partner in the Unity Partnership this year.

They include managing the council’s payroll, financial management and control, managing highways maintenance, and expanding the Contact Centre.

Both Oldham and Rochdale councils work in partnerships with big business partner Mouchel to provide some day-to-day services. But speeding up progress could cost £233,000, with Oldham councillors being asked to agree to spend money to oversee the changes over two years.

Managers agree that getting the programme for complex changes agreed by April 30 will be “extremely challenging”.

But they added: “Given our contractual commitment to the Unity Partnership and the council’s budget position this work must be completed.”