RURAL stakeholders are urged to let the government know how local authorities can cut costs by sharing service delivery.

The call for evidence on service transformation will feed into an independent panel examining what needs to happen nationally and locally to increase the pace and scale of change.

The government believes integrated services can improve outcomes for local people, reduce demand for services and providing better long term value for money.

Integrating local services is challenging and further support is needed to help government, places and partners work together, says the call for evidence document.

The government's independent Service Transformation Challenge Panel aims to identify the characteristics and enablers of successful transformation.

It follows last month's £410m government package for local authorities to transform the way they deliver services.

"The panel is very keen to hear from a wide range of people," says the call for evidence. "Local authorities and their partners will be important stakeholders," it adds.

"But the panel is also interested to receive submissions from anyone who has evidence on how we can transform local public services to deliver better outcomes for local people."

The panel will consider how good practice can best be shared and incentivised, while identifying practical barriers preventing successful integration.

It will also make practical recommendations on what needs to happen locally to help overcome these barriers.

The call for evidence is not seeking proposals that would increase government borrowing. Neither is it looking at devolution of tax or welfare, or seeking requests for funding.

If possible, stakeholders are asked to submit their responses to questions in the call for evidence via an online form here.

The closing date for suibmissions is 10 July 2014. For the terms of reference, click here.