Shirehall leaders have revealed their blueprint for radically changing the way Shropshire Council operates as it strives to save £60 million over the next three years.

The draft “Creating a Better Future Together” document will be considered by the council cabinet tomorrow and by the full authority on Thursday. It sets what chief executive Kim Ryley describes as the framework for an “ambitious major programme of change”.

It is designed to transform the way in which the council works and cut costs.

At the heart of the plan is a strong emphasis on working at a local level, based on the market towns, with strong partnerships, and much closer co-operation and sharing of resources between the council and various agencies.

Services will be shaped around each of the market towns and surrounding areas, but within a clear set of minimum standards for all parts of the county.

There is a pledge that frontline services will be given the power and re-sources to make decisions on the best form of service delivery for each part of Shropshire.

Wherever possible the council and its partners will have a “physical presence” in local service “hubs” which are easy for customers and clients to reach.

Mr Ryley has previously signalled that he wants a more flexible, leaner and multi-tasking organisation, and the document says that management costs will be kept to a minimum by changing the roles and responsibilities of senior staff.

Managers and staff will work in teams made up of staff from a range of different services, and from other local service organisations.

Service teams will operate as “business units” and managers will be expected to bring “commerciality and entrepreneurship” to their role.

On the issue of developing partnerships with other agencies, the document says this will eliminate duplication and reduce costs.

There is a clear message that the council in future will no longer be responsible for delivering all the services it currently provides.

The document says the authority is going to have to consider who is best placed to deliver services to local people and this will mean exploring the potential for them being handed over to social enterprises or to the private sector.

In an introduction to the blueprint, Mr Ryley and council leader Keith Barrow say it demonstrates the energy and appetite for a bold new approach to community leadership.

By Dave Morris