Wandsworth and Richmond councils today launched a new shared workforce under a single chief executive.

From Monday, October 3 staff will be jointly employed by both authorities under chief executive Paul Martin, which the two councils say will save about £10million.

Richmond Council leader Lord True said: “We have already made savings of £30m over the past four years; we know we need to make further major savings in the period to 2018.

“We have lost 66% of our Government funding over the next four years.

"We have said - and residents strongly support this - that we wanted to do as much of this as possible by sharing staffing costs with others.

“We are confident that this structure will enable us to make savings we need – whilst protecting each Borough’s sovereignty.

“Whilst it will take some time for the staffing structure to ‘bed in’ – the proof will be that residents do not notice any difference.”

The leader of Wandsworth Council, Ravi Govindia, added: “I am proud of the work we’ve achieved to get this far, but it’s only the start of a journey - opportunities to continue to improve, innovate and deliver more efficient and responsive services is very much part of our ongoing vision for the shared workforce.”

Mr Martin said the shared staffing arrangement means he runs the largest staff group in London local government.

He said: “This joint workforce will enable us to preserve the unique identity and values of each council while eliminating duplication in how services are managed and run across the two boroughs.

“We will be able to retain quality, specialisms and expertise which are more sustainable in a larger organisation.

“As chief executive of both boroughs, it is my job to oversee this shared workforce as it settles in.

“Whilst, at the same time, ensuring that we maintain and improve the high standards of our services that the residents of both boroughs have become accustomed to.”