Borough reviews legal section structure, holds "tentative" discussions on possible ABS

Reading Borough Council has confirmed it is reviewing the structures of its legal section and the joint legal team for children's services it is part of with other local authorities.

Officers have also held early and tentative discussions on creating an alternative business structure to sell legal services externally.

A spokesman for Reading said the move was part of the council’s ongoing review of all its support services.

He said: “Part of that review has involved preliminary discussions on the prospect of a reformed Legal Section creating a separate discreet trading company which would allow it to trade outside the public sector. This is at a very early stage and we would, if there was a proposal, consult staff and stakeholders of the service before firming up a proposal.

“It is important to note however that there is no active proposal to convert the Joint Legal Team or the reformed Legal Section into a separate legal company, agreed by the Council at this stage.”

The other local authorities involved in the joint arrangement for children’s legal services are Wokingham Borough Council, West Berkshire Council, Bracknell Forest Council and Slough Borough Council.