UP TO 15 top managers at Medway Council face the axe as the council tries to save at least £750,000 from its wage bill in the coming year.

In a fundamental structure change, the council is reorganising itself to provide a children's department. It will merge the education department with social services, youth teams and health.

The future of the council housing stock in Gillingham is under review and it could be sold off, taking more staff with it.

Chief executive, Judith Armitt, said strong views had been expressed by staff about the plans.

Cllr Alan Jarrett, the deputy leader, said the Government had responded to the needs of vulnerable young children, but without providing the necessary funds. "We have some very high quality officers, and need to give them the support they need and deserve," he said.

Cllr Howard Doe (Social Services portfolio) said they were trying to produce a service which did its best for children, but with very inadequate funding.

Cllr Wes Hollands (Leisure) said the council was giving customers value for money, while Cllr Tom Mason (Corporate Services) described the very professional way staff had confronted the changes. "They have mortgages and their lives to lead," he said. "It can't be easy."

Cllr Les Wicks (education) said the council would no longer have to prepare 17 plans for government but faced new bureaucratic demands in their place.

"A great deal rests on staff sharing data, between education, social services and health services. In due course we will give the kids of the borough the very best that we can."

More consultations will be held until June when the Cabinet will consider councillors' views.

The changes will see up to four assistant directors lose their jobs along with as many as 11 service managers jobs being at risk.

Tourism, which brings in nearly £200 million a year, will become a community service alongside adult social care and housing management, while economic development will be downgraded.

None of the directors was present at a special cabinet meeting which agreed to send plans to councillors for scrutiny.

Education director, Rose Collinson and social services director Ann Windiate's jobs will disappear.