COUNCIL chiefs are to team up with police and health bosses to forge a new partnership to determine how vital frontline services are provided.

Kent is one of 21 areas chosen by ministers to pilot a Government-led initiative, aimed at cutting red tape and improving public services by bringing together key players in national and local public sector organisations.

It means Kent County Council, Kent Police and the Kent and Medway Health Authority, along with other public sector organisations, will now work much more closely when it comes to decisions on how nearly £7billion of public money is spent.

In return, ministers are promising them more freedom to act as they choose and less bureaucracy.

Partners will link up to form what will be known as a Public Services Board and will set out targets around three themes: improving services for children; building safer communities and health care for older people.

County council leader Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart (Con) said: “Organisations in Kent are united in a determination to see that this saves money, produces better services and frees us from some of the regulatory burden.”

Kent Police Chief Constable Mike Fuller said he hoped the partnership would mean the public would see “ever better value for money.”

Kent and Medway Strategic Health Authority chairman Candy Morris said the NHS looked forward to the partnership.

Kent County Council's chief executive Mike Pitt told KM-fm he was delighted with the project...