Jobs fears for middle managers at Wolverhampton Council

Middle management jobs at Wolverhampton City Council are under threat with a cull of senior staff set to continue, it was revealed today.

Twelve of the highest earning officers were made redundant earlier this year to save £1 million, but the axe is now set to fall on the next level down.

A total of 128 people were taking home salaries above £50,000 this year, according to the latest accounts.

The council has to save £29m next year on top of £36m it has already cut from this year's budget.

Around 450 jobs are disappearing as a result of cuts already made, with more to follow in 2012.

The latest review will look at heads of services.

Assistant chief executive Joanne Lancaster revealed in a report: "The council is currently going through a period of unparalleled change, requiring business practices, services and resources to be reviewed in entirely new ways.

"When managing change of this magnitude, it is essential to remove the constraints imposed by previous ways of working and so the review of senior management has formed an essential element of the change programme. The next phase of activity will be a new project to review middle management."

Read the full story in the Express & Star.