Norfolk County Council could scrap top officer role to save £175k

Norfolk County Council hoped cutting the role would save £175,000 a year

A council is considering scrapping one of its top officer roles to save more than £175,000 a year.

Norfolk County Council is reviewing the executive director for community and environmental services role.

The job holder is responsible for libraries, museums and highways, the fire and rescue service and recycling centres.

Leader of the council, Kay Mason Billig, said: "Whenever a post becomes vacant, it is sensible to review it."

The post has been vacant since June 2023 and the job is being filled on an interim basis after the previous holder, Tom McCabe, became the authority's chief executive.

As part of a review of services at the Conservative-run council, it is now being proposed to cut the position, which would be filled by two other directors.

As first reported in the Eastern Daily Press, the move could save more than £175,000 a year.

The role has been vacant since Tom McCabe became the council's chief executive in June 2023

'Further efficiencies'

Ms Mason Billig said: "I believe it makes sense to have a lead director for infrastructure and a lead director for community services, instead, from our existing management team."

The Conservative councillor added: "This will focus the responsibilities in these key service areas and deliver further efficiencies in how we work."

Council leader Kay Mason Billig was looking for efficiencies at the authority

The review of roles is part of cost-savings measures across the authority.

In February, councillors signed off £41.5m of savings for the financial year 2024/25 as well as a 4.99% increase in council tax.

The authority is facing a budget gap of £42.9m for 2025/26.