TWO council officers have been made redundant from Malvern Hills District Council as part of a departmental restructure.

Three workers in the Best Value section were given notice of dismissal on August 20. They were told their jobs were no longer considered relevant and three new posts were being created from October, for which they were given the benefit of first interviews.

Only one staff member was successful and recruitment for the remaining two positions is being opened to the public.

Unison representative Peter Sargeant said that although no further redundancies have been announced, several further departments are under scrutiny.

He said: "The council is under constant review all the time, especially under the Best Value regime.

"Any jobs that come under review or restructuring, be it part of reorganising or Best Value, may be at risk.

"I can't predict how the council is going to approach that. There will be results of Best Value reviews next year and how they approach the reorganisation of staff is up to them."

Paul Cumming, deputy leader of the council, said: "I think everybody now has to react to circumstances as they change.

"We have reacted to what is going on and the continual financial pressures that are imposed on us. We have to make sure we are always as efficient as possible.

"The Government now requires continuous improvement which inevitably brings about changes.

"The situation is tough on taxpayers and employees alike."