ICT projects are among the winners from a £9m fund to promote joined-up services creating efficiencies for local authorities.

Local government minister Kris Hopkins has announced that 33 winning bids from 80 councils will share the cash.

The winning local authorities estimate their proposals will save more than £10 for every £1 of Transformation Challenge Award money invested.

Hopkins said: “By joining forces with neighbouring councils and other organisations they are not only cutting costs but also making sure their residents get the very best service.”

More than half of the winning bids are focused on redesigning front line services, with other bids focusing on merging back office teams and sharing chief executives and senior managers.

Three councils which won bids are set to be the first to appoint a permanent chief executive across three councils.

ICT projects awarded cash include:

• £191,000 for Wolverhampton City Council, which will use mobile technology to save time on administration for family support workers and health visitors.
  Estimated savings – £880,000
• £97,000 for Sevenoaks District Council to enhance an ICT system to allow the council to fully integrate building control services with Tonbridge and Malling councils.
  Estimated savings – £1,925,205
• £970,882 for East Devon District Council to create a new organisation, Strata, comprising ICT staff from three councils and build a new data centre in Exeter to supply services to all partners.
  Estimated savings – £7,015,647
• £300,000 to harmonise financial Information Systems across Stratford on Avon, Cherwell and South Northamptonshire councils.
  Estimated savings – £5,745,302
• £300,000 to integrate ICT systems across the Stour Valley Partnership, incorporating Christchurch, North Dorset, East Dorset and Poole councils.
  Estimated savings – £3,634,530.

In addition, Waveney District Council in Suffolk has been awarded  £60,000 to create a local commissioning academy to encourage better decisions on contracts, estimated at saving £1,425,498.