The two beacon boroughs hope the move will lead to up to 20 per cent savings over three years, while driving up standards by bolstering both councils’ ability to improve failing schools.
The authorities also claim the change will make it easier for them to commission providers to set up free schools, in line with the coalition government’s plans to expand independent state-funded education.
Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea councils already share directors in their legal and highways departments, but the official merging of services with Westminster would take joint working arrangements one step further.
Stephen Greenhalgh, leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council said the two authorities are leading "the radical revolution in local government that our nation’s finances require".
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