Norfolk CC chief executive David White will be made redundant from April, following a review of the council.

Mr White himself has recommended that the post of chief executive should be scrapped in favour of a new post of managing director.

The move is part of an attempt to make the council more commercial in the future to bring in an income. It is also expected to save cash, with the current salary of £205,322 expected to be cut to between £165,000 - £180,000 a year.

Speaking of the review, which has not been fully reported yet, Mr White said: ‘It is already crystal clear that the council will need from its managerial leader a level of commercial skill and experience not required from my current post and that I simply do not have.

‘So it is in the best interests of the council that it has time to properly redefine the current chief executive post and align it more precisely with new policy aspirations.'

Mr White has been chief executive of Norfolk since October 2006. Prior to his appointment, he was managing director of Thurrock Council for four years and chief executive of Suffolk Health Authority for eight years.

The departure of the chief executive follows the news last week that Norfolk leader Derrick Murphy is to step down. Cllr Murphy will face a standards committee hearing next month over allegations of misconduct.