Mid Devon District Council cuts leadership team to save money

Council officers have been taking on extra responsibilities since one of the senior team retired

Mid Devon District Council is reducing the size of its senior leadership team after agreeing to axe the role left by a retired director.

Jill May, director of business improvement, retired in May with the remaining team taking on extra responsibilities.

Councillors were told a saving of about £25,000 had been made since she left.

It leaves the chief executive, two directors and the monitoring officer as the authority's most senior officials.

Chief executive Stephen Walford said they had taken advice from the Local Government Association (LGA) about the restructure.

"The advice was sought to provide some external assurance to cabinet that the recommendations contained in our report were viable, sensible and achievable," he said.

Deputy leader Simon Clist asked if the same level of administrative support would remain, to ensure that remaining directors were able to manage their increased workload.

Mr Walford said he did "not envisage reducing that level of support", reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.