One of the top officer posts at Norfolk County Council looks likely to be axed as part of a restructuring move which would save the authority £175,000.

The Conservative-controlled council is proposing to get rid of the post of executive director for community and environmental services - one of the eight best-paid jobs at County Hall.

Eastern Daily Press: Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County CouncilKay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Kay Mason Billig, leader of the authority, which recently agreed to make £42m of cuts and savings, said: "We are proposing to delete the post of executive director of community and environmental services, and this will reduce the number of management layers in this part of the council and save £175,249 per year.

“The post has been covered on an interim basis since the postholder was appointed as chief executive last year.

“Whenever a post becomes vacant, it is sensible to review it and see if we can operate more efficiently, which is part of our transformation programme.

“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.

"This will focus the responsibilities in these key service areas and deliver further efficiencies in how we work.

Eastern Daily Press: Tom McCabeTom McCabe (Image: Supplied)

Grahame Bygrave has held the post on an interim basis since June last year. Before that, it was held by Tom McCabe, who left it when he became chief executive last summer.

The remit of the post ranges from libraries to museums, highways to fire and rescue and from recycling centres to corporate property.

As part of the proposal to delete the executive director posts, two lead directors would be created, one for infrastructure and one for communities.

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk County Council's County Hall headquartersNorfolk County Council's County Hall headquarters (Image: Mike Page)

A report which will go before councillors states: "Engagement with community and environmental service directors, Unison, human resources and organisational design specialists has taken place.

"Feedback received shows broad agreement with the proposal and recognition of the benefits it will bring."

The council's employment committee will meet on Monday, March 18 to decide whether to delete the post.