This is not an argument about size, economies of scale , devolution or increased local accountability. It's not even a cautionary tale about overselling the benefits and underestimating the work and how long it will take. It's just what it felt like to be a senior manager at the time.

It was a no fault divorce in which both parties wanted an amicable separations of resources but it got a bit messy, a bit acrimonious but ultimately both parties recognise there will have to be an ongoing relationship after the split. After all we will be neighbours and there is the issue of the shared IT system!