Shropshire Council has opened its doors to parish and town councils as it looks to expand on early work to devolve services across the county.
Shropshire Council has invited councils to express interest in taking on greater responsibility for delivering services, maintaining assets, or enhancing community provisions.
This follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed last year by more than 50 councils outlining their willingness to collaborate more closely.
Oswestry's council tax precept rose significantly in this year's budget as it took on some devolved services from the cash-strapped county authority.
Councillor Alex Wagner, deputy leader of Shropshire Council, said: "This is about creating a genuine partnership with town and parish councils and recognising that different communities want different things.
"This is true even – or perhaps especially – in the extremely challenging financial circumstances we are in.
"Some councils may simply want to enhance existing services. Others may be interested in delivering services locally or taking on community assets.
"Our role is to support those ambitions and develop arrangements that are mutually beneficial and work for local residents."
The programme is part of the council’s broader efforts to build stronger relationships with town and parish councils.
Councils have until the end of August to submit expressions of interest outlining their ambitions, capabilities and readiness to take on additional responsibilities.
A programme team will support councils through an assessment process in the autumn, followed by the development of business cases where appropriate.
Final agreements are expected from December.
The council says the approach aims to protect or improve services while reducing costs and ensuring delivery models reflect local priorities.
Initial opportunities include the transfer of Shropshire Council-owned assets under the Town and Parish Council Asset Transfer Policy and help deliver street scene services.
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