By Tom Wright 

HAMPSHIRE’s civic chief has praised a new business and IT scheme which is set to save £200 million by 2016.

Cllr Roy Perry, leader of Hampshire County Council, hailed the new Integrated Business Centre that will handle back-office services such as payroll, purchasing, recruitment and HR functions.

The move is considered one of the biggest operational changes in the council’s history.

It is designed to bolster a new partnership between Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service – the first of its kind in England following its inception last year.

Speaking at an audit meeting, Cllr Perry said: “Having to remove more than £200 million of our expenditure by 2016, with least impact on front line services, means we have had to dramatically change the way we do business.”

Oxfordshire County Council is set to join the scheme later this year.

The new system comes as the council prepares to cut a further £100 million from the budget by 2017.