by political editor Paul Francis

Kent County Council is preparing to cull the number of senior managers as part of its drive to tackle a £340m budget hole over the next four years.

Bonuses for top officers on six-figure salaries are also expected to be scrapped as part of the cost-cutting measures.

The authority has signalled it will create several new companies to deliver services, in common with many other councils who are saving money through what is known as out-sourcing.

County Hall says it must slim down on managers as part of a major re-organisation ahead of deep budget cuts. All tiers of management are likely to be in the firing line.

County councillors will be asked to agree to the proposed shake-up next week.

It is unclear how many managers will be affected or how much will be saved. However, redundancies are expected and the impact will be felt across the board.

A report by group managing director Katherine Kerswell detailing the plans says that while the authority benefits from "the considerable talents and energies of the most senior managers" they are "not without significant cost to the taxpayer."

Ms Kerswell also warns that if the council does not change "we face a different risk of salami slicing of services and being unable to deliver the quality of service that Kent is renowned for."

The report also raises concern that if management costs are not addressed "we will give a contradictory message to the rest of our staff."

KCC has in recent years faced criticism over the pay and perks for senior managers, many of whom are on six-figure salaries. It has also come under fire over pay-offs for former directors.

It has regularly featured in surveys as among the authorities with the highest number of employees earning six-figure salaries. Official accounts show that in 2009-10, it had 22 staff on its books earning more than £100,000, three more than the previous year.

In September, it emerged that £188,000 bonuses had been paid to top officers in two years.

Final decisions on management posts that are to be scrapped will be made in December.