PIONEERING plans to transform the way that South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils operate were last week endorsed by the Government, which has awarded them £700,000 to further their new ways of working.

The councils have won the money through the Transformation Challenge Award organised by the Government's Public Service Transformation Network which champions public sector reform.

The award is a huge achievement for both local authorities who began sharing their services in 2007 and have saved the taxpayer more than £7.7-million since then through efficient working.

Now the councils are preparing to introduce a new model of working to protect local services despite funding challenges. The approach reduces costs by redesigning services around the needs of customers — their residents and businesses — using new technology.

Residents and businesses will be able to access the councils' services 24/7 online with many of their transactions becoming fully automated. Those who prefer will still be able to contact the councils in the traditional way such as by phoning or visiting.

The councils' workforce will be smaller, reducing the need for office accommodation and all staff roles will change and be more flexible and responsive, working within communities from different areas of the councils.

The radical transformation, due to be introduced later next year, will be the most significant change in the way the councils have worked since reorganisation more than 40 years ago.

Cllr Philip Sanders, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: 'Breaking the mould of traditional local government by transforming all council services is no mean feat.

'This award recognises the hard work that our staff have put in to redesigning these services to meet the financial challenges. They have done so while still providing excellent services to the public.'

Cllr John Tucker, leader of South Hams Council, said that he was delighted with the award.

He said: 'This is just what we need at this time to see our plans through to reality. People run their lives differently now compared to a decade ago and we believe that our new way of working will meet their changing needs.

'These plans will also make us more sustainable and less reliant on national government funding and allows us to move forward on a more sound financial footing.'

The award announcement was made last Friday by Local Government Minister Kris Hopkins.

A total of £89.4- million is being shared between 71 successful bidders to the Transformation Challenge Award.