OFFICIALS at a council have denied that they intend to completely merge with another.

Braintree District Council, the authority covering the Great Bardfield, Wethersfield and Rayne areas, has said it is only “exploring ways to share management services” with Colchester Borough Council in a bid to save money.

A spokesman for the council said: “As part of the consultation and discussion process, all members of both councils are being brought together in July to look at the options, understand the issues, and take the opportunity to explore informally and collectively the implications of sharing management.

“Whilst discussion is taking place on shared management, there is no intention to merge the councils. It is the stated intention that both councils will be independent sovereign bodies, making their own decisions in the interests of each council’s residents.”

It is thought that BDC could be taking an approach adopted by many authorities such as Uttlesford District Council, in a bid to share services, such as parking partnerships and combined administration departments.

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