A REVIEW of senior management jobs at Rossendale Council has seen the number of top posts slashed from 22 to 16.

But councillors, who voted for the review at a meeting of the full council, stressed that none of the managers affected are to be made redundant at the moment.

The streamlining will see four new heads of department created to work directly under the council's chief executive, Owen Williams.

This will include two new deputy chief executive posts, one with responsibility for internal workings and the other to oversee external matters, including economic regeneration.

Council leader, Peter Steen, explained: "There will be no compulsory redundancies, although we don't know at this stage if there will be any voluntary redundancies.

"We had 22 senior management posts and have cut that to 16. The remaining six have been offered jobs elsewhere in the council.

"It is an exercise in increasing efficiency, although the review won't lead to any major savings as such."

The decision follows consultations with senior managers and union representatives, including one-to-one meetings with the staff affected.

The proposals were recommended in private by councillors at last month's executive meeting and were ratified on July 28.

Council bosses stressed that the restructuring will improve council performance, tackle weaknesses, give value for money and support the delivery of the council's strategic objectives.