Liverpool completes LDL deal

LIVERPOOL City Council has completed the deal to take control of its joint venture with BT, Liverpool Direct Limited (LDL).

The partnership was established in 2001 to handle a number of council services such as human resources, IT, payroll and benefits services.

Three years ago the contract was extended until 2017 but the council wants to bring the services back in house to save money.

In February the council said the deal came about because BT would not agree to further reductions in the value of LDL’s contract with the council. Under the new arrangement LDL will become wholly-owned by the council, and will continue to deliver services to the authority and other clients.

Mayor Joe Anderson said: “We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with BT through LDL, which has brought commercial expertise, service transformation and resources to the city. The staff of LDL have worked tirelessly on behalf of the citizens of Liverpool.

“This transformation has only been achievable due to the sustained collaborative working between BT and their respective teams of staff. However, as part of our three-year budget strategy – to find £156m savings following government funding reductions – it was right that we agreed to move LDL in a different direction.”