Hard-up Islington council is attempting to slash their �400,000 auditing bill by sharing staff with Camden.

The audit team try to save the council money by advising them on how to use resources efficiently.

But last year Price Waterhouse Coopers, who audit for the council, invoiced them for �423,996 and Town Hall chiefs hope they can shave �100,000 on this by sharing their audit with Camden Council.

Micheal Bradley, previously head of internal audit at Camden, will now become joint head of auditing for both authorities.

Cllr Richard Greening, Islington Council’s executive member for finance, said: “Against a backdrop of big government cuts, we are always looking for ways to work more effectively and efficiently.

“This move will help to further strengthen the internal audit teams in both councils, while at the same time delivering a saving for taxpayers.

“This is another example of our desire and willingness to find ways of working with other London councils to the benefit of all residents.”

Last year, the council spent �1.1million on external consultants and services for things like their internal audit, education services and IT systems, down from �1.7million the previous year.

The figure is less than one per cent of the total wage bill and compares favourably with the �3.2million shelled out by neighbouring Hackney in the same period.

Cllr Greening said: “Our spend on consultants has been slashed by over 50 per cent as we continue to look at ways to keep costs down while maintaining frontline services in the face of unprecedented government cuts.

“And we’ll continue to look at ways to save money by sharing services – our school meals contract and shared audit function with Camden are contributing nearly �1m of savings a year.”