West Somerset council is looking to promote cost savings and has begun to look at an expansive shared services operation to reduce expenses.

The move follows a report by the Local Government Association which reported that West Somerset council, as the smallest district council in England, could not continue as a viable authority.

The council will investigate the benefits of reducing the size of workforce and employ shared services from local authorities or neighbouring councils while maintaining the existing core staff.

“There now exists an opportunity for the council to create a new model of operation by becoming a commissioning authority”, detailed a report on the options for change available.