Northumberland CC could become the latest local authority to scrap the chief executive role, as part of a radical management restructure designed to help make £42m budget savings.

According to proposals set out by the Labour-led council, the number of directorates would be scrapped from five to three and the chief executive responsibilities devolved to one of the remaining directors, who would become Executive Lead.

Further job losses would be anticipated among the 15 middle managers earning more than £80,000.

A Labour spokesman for Northmberland said:  ‘The changes to the bureaucracy at Northumberland County Council will put a greater emphasis on frontline services.

‘The full brunt of £42m cuts imposed on the county …… will mean a flatter management structure and we think we can limit job losses to a minimum.'

‘We'll be moving from a CEO to an Executive Lead Director, who will work with the Labour Administration to deliver a real step change in service delivery,' the spokesman added.

Current Northumberland chief executive Steve Stewart earns between £170,000 to £175,000 a year, his deputy Kate Roe is paid £14,0,000 and the four corporate directors receive salaries of between £125,000 to £140,000.