WYRE Forest District Council has signed a formal alliance with the University of Wolverhampton to strengthen relationships between the two organisations.

The strategic alliance will look at how expertise available from the university can help to strengthen and support the provision of council services.

The university has been providing computer science degree students on work placement to the council for the last 20 years.

Many have gone on to permanent employment and then moved on to further their careers.

The district council’s cabinet member for community and corporate services, Conservative councillor, Nathan Desmond, celebrated the longstanding ties between the two organisations.

He said: “This arrangement has provided long-term mutual benefit to both ourselves and the university’s school of computing and IT, resulting in the development of a dynamic and forward thinking ICT team at the council.”

Leader of the council, Conservative councillor, John Campion, added: “This alliance recognises the close working relationship already created over many years.

“We will explore new opportunities for our two organisations to work together to harness technical innovations and tackle matters of social, cultural and economic importance.

“Working with the university will enhance our existing capacity to undertake research and access technical expertise.”

Professor Robert Moreton, Dean of the school of computing and IT at the university, welcomed the development.

He said: “This alliance formalises our non-exclusive relationship with Wyre Forest District Council and underlines the university’s commitment to vocational education supported by research and consultancy.

“This work underpins the teaching programme of the school and provides a service to local organisations that, in turn, supports the regional economy.”