COST-cutting Christchurch council is axing a number of senior posts as part of a staffing re-organisation which will slice £173,000 from the town hall wages bill.

The shake-up, which takes effect in May, will see four long-serving senior managers taking early retirement and their responsibilities re-assigned.

Roger Morris, the longest-serving of the four, started working for the council in 1971 and as head of central services has overseen the administration of the council as well as the running of the Civic Offices where he has also been the lead officer in developing the new One Stop Shop for customer services.

Head of environmental and community services Trevor Jacques also has more than 30 years service with the council, where he has played an instrumental role in developing planning policies for the borough.

Waste and highway operations manager Keith Latham has been with the council since 1984 and has been at the forefront of major changes in refuse and recycling as well as overseeing road repairs and street lighting in the borough.

Head of operations Peter Barker, who is also going, had a wide-ranging portfolio, including engineering services, road design, parks and countryside, property, recreation, waste and highways.

Under the re-organisation current planning chief David Jobbins will have his role extended to include transport and community planning policy manager Judith Plumley is promoted to head of neighbourhood and environment.

Borough solicitor David Fairbairn takes on responsibility for democratic services and licensing as head of legal and democratic services.

Council chief executive Michael Turvey paid tribute to the four retiring managers, saying: "Peter, Trevor, Roger and Keith have all helped greatly in making Christchurch the most improved council in Dorset and their expertise will be sadly missed."

Cllr Mike Duckworth, portfolio holder for a well managed council, added: "These changes have already helped to make savings which will not only keep the council tax down and provide better value for money, but will also allow us to put more resources into continuing to improve our services to residents."