MONMOUTHSHIRE council’s cabinet will look to pass an unprecedented initiative which would see its housing department working with another authority’s at part of a year’s trial.

Monmouthshire and Torfaen councils will save £55,000 over three years if the arrangement gets the go ahead. It was first mooted by the Welsh Local Government Association’s Homeless Prevention Initiative in January.

The councils said the arrangement, which could start from next month, will provide delivery through two teams, a Housing Solutions Team and Private Sector Housing Team, made of employees from both authorities.

Accountability for services will remain with each council but might include joint scrutiny, if Torfaen council agrees.

A report that will be seen by councillors today (Wed) says reduced homelessness and a decrease in the use of bed and breakfasts by the councils would be one measure of success, along with an increase in the number of landlords working with both authorities.

Cabinet members will find that an immediate target for both councils will be to ensure quality across both of them, although the report states “this won’t be possible in the short term due to the configuration and commissioning of current services” and differences in what they provide at present.

Staff from both Monmouthshire and Torfaen councils have already met up as part of an away day to consider how they will work together.

Monmouthshire council cabinet member Cllr Giles Howard, who is responsible for strategic housing, said: "Along with our aim to prioritise vulnerable people, we have the opportunity to build on our successful relationship with Torfaen council's housing team.

"The proposal for a combined team enables both authorities to benefit from shared expertise and facilities, whilst the huge pressure on local government finances and our track record of collaboration with Torfaen will help us deliver and meet demand with an efficient and improved service.”

And Torfaen council’s executive member for housing, planning and public protection, Cllr Gwyneira Clark, said: "This initiative will help both housing teams meet the increased requirements for local authorities to prevent homelessness and work more closely with the private rented sector as a result of the new Wales wide Housing Act. It will improve people's ability to access private sector housing, and see an improvement in the quality and availability of private rented housing.

“We live in a time of unprecedented cuts in public spending, and it is clear the effects of austerity will continue to be felt for many years. We are increasingly looking to collaborate with other public sector bodies to deliver services, as demand increases and resources dwindle."