£16m savings in a year for Rotherham council

Management savings accounted for £1.76 million—some of which came from cutting the number of  directors from 19 to 14.

A report said: “Scope has been identified for a further potential reduction down to 11, by taking advantage of retirements, volunteers for redundancy and broadening responsibility in some areas.”

Four strategic directors remain but the paper identifies potential to cut one post in two years.

The report to Cabinet on Wednesday added: “Our citizens, communities and businesses should be able to experience improved access to managers and understand who is accountable for decision making.

“Fewer management layers will help us translate decisions into action much more quickly.

“The council has already taken a proactive stance to minimise the impact of the reductions in central government funding.

“Through careful stewardship and the support of elected members, colleagues and trade unions we have so far managed to avoid major employee relations issues evident in some councils and minimised the need for compulsory redundancies.

“Consultation has taken place with the management cohort on the proposals set out in this report and a headline structure has been drafted following extensive consideration by the Strategic Leadership Team, individually and as a group.”

A council spokeswoman added: “We have responded to the public after consultation and combined this with merging functions, voluntary redundancies and the non-filling of posts.”