SENIOR posts in Medway Council's housing services department are likely to get the chop, council chiefs have finally admitted.

An anonymous caller to the Medway Messenger claimed the council had sent official notification to the Government's Insolvency Service of up to 33 possible redundancies. Local authorities are required by law to send the notification if more than 20 people might lose their jobs.

A council spokesman had denied that any such form had been sent, but stressed that redundancies would be kept to an "absolute minimum".

But now the council has admitted the form had been sent, but only as a precaution because 22 job descriptions may have to be altered.

The council confirmed that seven posts are being recommended for the axe.

Brian Kelly, branch secretary of Medway Unison, the public employees' union said: "The council are using the rationale of the madhouse and their actions are callous and cold blooded."

* See the Medway Messenger (Friday, August 31) for full details.