A SENIOR officer at Malvern Hills District Council is to be made redundant as part of a high level reshuffle aimed at improving performance.

New top-end management structures were approved by the authority's Executive Board on Tuesday ahead of a Best Value review.

The Council's three existing corporate directors and the head of business and financial planning services will be invited to apply for only three new strategic director jobs, meaning at least one person will be made redundant.

One strategic director will be in charge of customer contact and shared services, including administration, estates and property, information technology, finance, internal audit, personnel and legal services.

The second will oversee revenue and benefits, housing, development plans and client services, while the third will head the Best Value performance improvement.

It was revealed that voluntary redundancy opportunities had been given to the officers in recent weeks but none were forthcoming.

Coun Tom Wells said he was confused as to why these proposals had come just before a complete review and suggested that the newly re-appointed officers would be expected to head ongoing reshuffles down the ranks, which would be a disaster for staff morale.

"The people of Malvern don't want expensive settlements for staff who are still needed," he said. "They want improved services. I also have some reservations about the removal or lack of a strategic planning director because it is my belief that we are, first and foremost, a planning authority."