A NATIONAL award for political leadership in driving forward shared services has been presented to West Devon and South Hams Councils.

The shared services initiative has been operating since 2007 and has saved more than £1.6-million. By the end of the summer all services will be shared between the two authorities.

The work of the councils' politicians has now been recognised with a 'highly commended' citation for the most effective political team of the year in the 2011 Municipal Journal Awards.

The leaders of the councils, Cllr James McInnes at West Devon and Cllr John Tucker at South Hams, accepted the award at a ceremony in London last week.

Cllr McInnes said: 'The councils have worked together extremely effectively, which has been essential to the success of sharing services.  It was important to us that shared services not only reduced costs but continues to provide excellent services too.

'Other councils across the country are now also taking up the shared services agenda and are contacting us to find out how we have been able to achieve this.'