Plans have been announced to sell Northamptonshire Archaeology as a cost-cutting measure by County Hall which, it says, will preserve its future and protect jobs.
Northamptonshire Archaeology (NA) is expected to be sold to the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) if the county council approves a report next week.
Currently run by Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Archaeology provides a commercial archaeological service in support of the planning process.
NA has been run from County Hall for the past 19 years and employs 35 full-time and 10 part-time staff engaged in a wide variety of work for many different organisations including developers, highway engineering companies, house builders, quarries, local authorities and private individuals.
The sell-off which will take effect from October 1, subject to cabinet approval, will save the taxpayer £275,000 a year.
It covers everything from desk-based studies, geophysical and landscape survey, the recording of historic buildings, and all aspects of below-ground investigation, from trial trenches to open areas, with full reporting of the results.
While about a third of the work is based in Northamptonshire, the rest is elsewhere in the UK. However, only about one to two per cent of its work is actually for the county council.
The county council said that, due to the economic downturn, competition for work has been fierce in recent years, and the sale to MOLA would place NA within an organisation which could “facilitate stability, future growth and improved profitability” by having the capacity to bid for more lucrative national contracts.
It also said it would benefit staff by securing their long-term employment.
MOLA, one of the top three archaeological businesses in the country and is a charitable company which re-invests its profits into archaeology and heritage educational activities.
Councillor Andre Gonzalez De Savage, county council cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, economic growth and public protection said: “This move has benefits for all as clearly NA has the potential to flourish through an association with Museum of London Archaeology, and both parties can bring the benefits of their expertise.
“It also makes sense to the county council as the authority will still be able to benefit from the service, but without any financial risk.”