Set up following the publication of the National Improvement and Efficiency Strategy by Communities and Local Government (CLG) in December 2007 Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs) support councils and their partners to work collaboratively, accelerate efficiency gains and drive improvement.

Procurement Lincolnshire is a partnership between eight local authorities in Lincolnshire designed to deliver high quality Procurement practice and substantial savings by cooperation and collaboration.

The project represents collaborative procurement at its most effective – delivering an efficient, cost-effective solution which assists the nine East Midlands authorities in meeting their obligation to offer high quality care and support, in an appropriate setting, for people with learning disabilities and complex needs.

Shared services between local government authorities can offer tangible improvements in efficiency and reductions in costs; as a result they are becoming an increasingly popular way to meet national efficiency targets.