A PARTNERSHIP pilot scheme to improve council services is to be launched in Harlow.

Harlow Council is among 24 authorities nationwide to take part in the Strategic Service Delivery Partnership scheme, an initiative of the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions to promote working in partnership with the public or voluntary sectors on long-term projects in a bid to improve services.

Harlow Council was selected for the scheme because of its potential to achieve far reaching improvements, its commitment to the project and its capacity to deliver.

The partnerships made with the council, which will initially focus on transport and environmental services, will aim to deliver improvements within a seven-year period.

Council leader Alan Jones said: "This decision proves without any doubt what we've said. The political and managerial leadership teams which started work in Harlow two years ago have turned the organisation around and our achievements are now being recognised nationally.

"By submitting and securing a place on this pilot scheme we have guaranteed access to national support and expertise. This should enable us to set up a working partnership which should in turn make local people feel good about their town."

Over the next 18 months, the council will work closely with the Government's Strategic Partnering Taskforce to identify partners to develop the scheme.

Mr Jones added: "This news has consequences far beyond the services which it relates to directly.

"Everything we do should benefit from the lessons we learn and the scheme gives Harlow the potential to become a national leader, setting an example to other authorities and giving local people a council to be proud of."