by Martin Jefferies

Thanet council plans to cut staffing costs by more than £1 million, with a quarter of senior managers set to be laid off.
It has pledged to protect as many front line jobs as possible.

But after warning earlier this month of an "unprecedented challenge" in light of the government's spending review, the council plans to make extensive changes to the way its departments are structured.

A consultation between the council, unions and staff is already under way and is expected to last until January.

Cllr Bob Bayford, leader of Thanet council, said: "We have to make changes now and, considering that half of our costs go on the council's wage bills, we need to look at our current structures and ways of making those leaner.

"We have to ensure that the council is in the strongest possible position it can be going forward. That means having a team of dedicated staff who can work more flexibly in the future."

Government grants to Thanet council could be cut by as much as 16 per cent in the next financial year, forcing the council to make savings of up to £3.4 million.

The authority has warned it will make further cuts once the government has announced its final settlement in December.