EAST Hampshire District Council has agreed to join a scheme which will see some services privatised.

The decision to join other councils looking at sharing cost savings was made at a private meeting.

East?Hampshire District Council (EHDC) leader Ferris Cowper said in a report: “I have had several meetings with Havant Borough Council about their participation in a cost-sharing consortium. After a full council debate, we are going to join the arrangement with useful cost savings.”

The group consists of South Oxfordshire District Council, Hart District Council, Mendip District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and Havant, with which EHDC shares a chief executive officer and some services.

By next summer a private company could be running the group’s human resources, property, facilities management, finance, IT and procurement departments.

EHDC said: “Havant is one of five councils looking into if a company could deliver a number of administrative services for better value.

“Where EHDC shares these services with Havant, it intends to gain efficiencies by continuing to do so. No decisions will be taken until February 2016.”

The Petersfield branch of the union Unison represents EHDC staff, and said: “Unison is opposed to outsourcing to the private sector as we believe council services should be provided by local people for local people.

“We know which members could be affected by the contract, but we do not know how those jobs may change. If this goes ahead, Unison will work with EHDC to protect jobs and get the best possible outcome for members.”