CASTLE Point’s council hierarchy has been streamlined in a bid to improve services.

From September 1, the council’s senior team will be cut from 14 to just eight posts.

Three jobs are being lost in the restructure, while three employees will be taking on alternative roles at the council.

Chief executive David Mar- chant said although he hoped the changes could lead to some financial savings this was not the reason behind them.

He said: “It is about making sure we have the right people in the right places for the tasks ahead.

“We have some excellent members of staff at the council and the new structure allows us to work to their strengths, whilst also making the organisation more focused.

Currently the council has a chief executive, four directors and nine heads of service.

But from September this will be cut to a chief executive, a new post of assistant chief executive, two strategic directors, one service director and three heads of service.

In the last financial year, seven staff members earned between £50,000 and £59,000, three between £60,000 and £89,000, two between £90,000 and £99,000 and Mr Marchant – between £140,000 and £149,000.

Mr Marchant could not tell the Echo how much money would be saved by the restructure, but said this would become clear in next year’s accounts.

Current head of corporate policy Craig Watts will become the new assistant chief executive, head of revenue and benefits Wendy Livings will become head of customer services and Steve Rogers, present head of planning and open spaces will become head of regeneration and homes.

Head of financial services Chris Mills will become head of resources while Environment director Ian Burchill will remain in the post, but also take on responsibility for community services.

The two strategic director posts will be filled by current legal director Andrew Smith and director of resources Devinia Board who will take overall responsibility for improving the council and improving the borough respectively.