STEPS were taken towards restructuring the senior leadership team at Wiltshire Council - a move which would save the council £205,000 a year.

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet members voted to support the proposal at a meeting on Tuesday, which suggests the number of executive directors reduced from three to two.

Both roles would remain in tier one of the leadership structure and would cover the themes of people and place.

Cllr Philip Whitehead, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “This proposal was made after discussion with the current Executive Directors, who have agreed that the current tier one structure and roles need to change to enable them to focus more on strategic planning for the future of Wiltshire with me and cabinet, removing their need to spend time focusing on delivery of those strategies and providing operational oversight.

“My proposed structure will bring together our Adults, Children’s, Education and Public Health services under one executive director for People. The aim of this is to enable the closer working in these areas and with our partners to develop.

“I also want more strategic focus on growing the economy of Wiltshire and empowering our residents and local communities to shape their own futures and this will be the focus of the Executive Director for Place.

“In addition, I believe this proposed structure will allow a more consistent relationship with partners.”

If approved and once implemented, the revised structure will also see the statutory roles of director of children’s services and statutory director of adult social services designated to appropriate directors at tier two.

This will ensure the two executive directors have the capacity needed to place a greater focus on strategic planning.

The final structure will be confirmed after November 27 following a period of formal consultation with the existing executive directors, where it will be decided how the two roles will be filled, and who will be appointed.

The full report can be viewed on the council’s website.