Two councils in Suffolk are joining forces to create Britain's first public service village, in a bid to house efficient operations under a single roof.

The revolutionary plans of Suffolk CC and St Edmundsbury BC will create a single, purpose-built facility, which will be used by both authorities. Work is due to start on the £14m complex in Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, next year, and the first phase is expected to be open by the end of 2008. The new complex should save both councils hundreds of thousands of pounds with shared facilities, and there is enough room for other public sector partners to join them.