Liverpool takes control of joint venture with BT

LIVERPOOL City Council will take full control of its joint venture with BT, Liverpool Direct Limited (LDL), at the end of the month.

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 wanted to bring the services back in house to save money.

Earlier in the year the council said the deal came about because BT would not agree to further reductions in the value of LDL’s contract with the authority.

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said: “LDL has successfully delivered services and service improvement throughout its life. The relationship with BT has been central to this success. We are grateful that BT remains committed to serving residents and businesses in Liverpool but it is timely, given the continued financial climate for LDL to move in a new direction to become fully integrated into Liverpool City Council.”