Taxpayers could be saved £225,000 if plans to reduce the number of senior managers and hours of the council chief executive are agreed.

Changes would see Havering’s chief executive, Cheryl Coppell, paid to work a three-day week from December. She has also asked to take a voluntary 10 per cent pay cut.

She had been considering retirement, but Cllr Roger Ramsey, council leader, persuaded her to move part-time for another 18 months at least.

As well as making a decision on the future of the chief exec on Wednesday, councillors will also decide whether to accept a permanent cut from three directors to two directly below her.

The decision of director Cynthia Griffin to leave in December has prompted a recommendation to Council to not recruit a replacement.

With support services such as accountancy, human resources and legal services now shared with Newham Council, Cllr Ramsey believes the organisation can manage with a smaller top team.

He said: “We’ve always had a small senior management team compared to many councils, but in the light of budget cuts, we’re looking to reduce it still further.

“I’m glad I’ve managed to persuade Cheryl Coppell to put off her well-deserved retirement for a little while longer and I hope my colleagues will support the move to her working part-time.

“Cynthia Griffin has done tremendous work for many years at Havering. Her decision to leave means we should consider if we can manage with just two. I think we can.

“These measures taken together will allow us to cut the pay bill for senior managers by £225,000.”

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