The services the council will outsource include estate management of the council's let estate; new leases; disposals; general valuation; asset valuations; rent reviews; acquisition by agreement; compulsory purchase valuations; rating advice and land surveying.

Twenty-eight council staff have transferred to Jacobs' employment and will be based in the city centre, close to the town hall.

It is thought the local authority, which is one of the largest in the country, has taken this step as part of its strategy to improve the way it owns and manages land and property.

The contract will be for an initial period of five years with the option to extend it by a further two years.