WEST Somerset district councillors could have to decide the fate of the local authority next month - and the future of senior staff members - as part of plans to forge closer working ties with Taunton Deane Borough Council.

The two councils have been looking at the feasibility of sharing services and staff to save money, although each authority would remain democratically independent.

The findings were due to be reported back in October, but the timetable has been brought forward and West Somerset councillors will now discuss plans for a joint management structure at a special meeting on July 22.

That plan could also force the redundancy of one of the authorities' chief executives.

In a joint statement issued by West Somerset Council leader Cllr Tim Taylor and Taunton Deane Borough Council leader Cllr John Williams, the authorities said consultations would be taking place with unions and staff.

The statement refers to a "shared chief executive" continuing to work on the project "to progress

joint working", meaning either Taunton Deane's Penny James or West Somerset's Adrian Dyer could have to step aside sooner than originally planned.

The authorities had been working towards implementing recommendations from the management plan in April next year, with a view to formally adopting a link-up in April 2015.

They were also hopeful of tapping into a £9 million Government funding pot designed specifically to help councils save money through the sharing of resources.

In the joint statement, Cllrs Taylor and Williams said: "The project team working on the business case has, as you would expect, been looking at how business structures can be joined.

"Predictably, the role of chief executive is a crucial starting point in any discussions on joint management arrangements."

They said the "shared chief executive" would be able to "shape and influence proposals and structures to progress joint working" but that that decision rested with councillors at their meeting in July.

"This week a discussion paper on this was presented to the joint members advisory panel for the project by the leaders of both councils.

"This discussion paper will continue to shape the proposals on joint management arrangements for the councils.

"As with all staffing issues it is important to handle them sensitively and consultation will now take place with the staff affected, Unison and all members of both councils.

"We have a clear plan in place to do this and will continue to deliver this as intended."

West Somerset has been pinning its hopes on the two authorities working together to save money.

Although the council has enough money to continue providing services until at least 2015 its long-term future is bleak, with experts from the Local Government Association warning the council could soon become financially unviable.

Increasing costs and chronic Government underfunding have been blamed for the council's predicament.