Leader's plan to save £1m by cutting top managers' posts

The move is part of the review of senior managers' structure and pay that was announced last year. As part of this work, it has also been announced that the Chief Executive, Annie Shepperd, will step down at the beginning of February and the Deputy Chief Executive, Eleanor Kelly, will act up in to the Chief Executive role.  

It is expected that the top managers proposals consultation process will be completed in March and the first phase of the implementation will begin in April. Specific details will be released in due course once they have been shared with councillors, other managers and trade unions.

Cllr Peter John, Leader of the Council, said: "In these difficult economic times there is understandable public scrutiny of the cost of top managers and it's important that we look hard at the way we organise ourselves to ensure we are getting the best value. We need strong and dynamic leadership that is affordable, focussed and relevant to delivering what local people need.

"The Chief Executive has leave to take and other personal commitments. This is why I am introducing interim arrangements as we need to move as quickly as we can to get our new top management arrangements in place and I look forward to working with colleagues to make this a success so that we can yet again deliver on our promises to local people. I would also like to take this opportunity again to pay tribute to the contribution that Annie has made in serving this borough and helping us to deliver our priorities".