Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend County Borough Councils have joined forces to share their data centre back-up and disaster recovery facilities.

Essential information held by the two neighbouring councils will be more secure in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or flood, thanks to the new collaboration.

The partnership means that each council can call on their neighbouring authority, rather than spend money with a third party supplier for disaster recovery arrangements in the future, and will also support reductions in each council’s carbon footprint.

Both councils' data centres continue to power the day-to-day business of each organisation, with each council still responsible for their own secure information management arrangements.

Cllr Craig Middle. Cabinet Member for Social Justice at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said: "This arrangement is in keeping with the Welsh Government's drive for further collaboration and the ICT Strategy for Wales, and is a significant step towards even wider potential consolidation and collaboration for data centre facilities.”

David Sutherland, Head of ICT and Property in Bridgend County Borough Council, added: "It’s reassuring to know that these arrangements are in place. Even in an emergency, residents will be able to depend on the fact that their local council will be able to continue to operate and provide essential services in a secure, efficient and business-like way.”