TWO of Winchester's top council officials are set to be made redundant.

Some councillors have criticised plans to merge the roles of chief operating officer Stephen Whetnall and finance boss Alexis Garlick as part of a £100,000-a-year savings drive.

The pair, who earnt a combined £174,000 last year, have been described as "great servants" to Winchester City Council.

Rebel councillors criticising the Guildhall high command over issues like Silver Hill have suggested the move is "extremely ill-advised" because a review of council decision-making has yet to be completed.

The reorganisation comes ahead of an independent report by lawyer Claer Lloyd-Jones, which will highlight the effectiveness of the council's leadership structure over Silver Hill.

Mr Whetnall has worked at the Guildhall for more than 20 years and is one of its most senior officials below chief executive Simon Eden.

He earnt £101,000 in 2014/15, with his £83,000 salary topped up by expenses and benefits largely from his role as returning officer at May's election.

Ms Garlick, who joined the council in 2006, earnt £69,000 plus £4,000 in expenses and benefits.

Cllr Vicki Weston, deputy leader and portfolio holder for service delivery, said: "These changes will help make the council more efficient, and save us up to £100,000 a year. They also make us better able to tackle the many complex challenges we face."

Ms Lloyd-Jones, in a review of Barnet Council in 2013, criticised "inexperienced" officers for having "no understanding" of local government law.

Cllr Rose Burns, who lost a motion earlier this month to block the move, said: "If authorities do not have available high-level knowledge and experience of local government law as decisions are being formulated, the outcome, as Barnet discovered, can be damaging reputationally, operationally and financially.

"What will be the public perception of timing of a staff shake-up proposal that concerns governance? Will they consider it to be not only badly timed but extremely ill-advised?"

Ms Garlick declined to comment and Mr Whetnall didnot respond when asked whether they would apply for the new role of Corporate Director (Professional Services). The Guildhall refused "for now" to discuss what the job will entail.

A spokesman said: "In future the team will concentrate on planning for the medium- and long-term, helping the council tackle challenges ranging from the continued financial pressures on local government to business rate reform and proposals for the devolution of powers and funding from Whitehall.

"The individuals concerned have both been great servants of the council and the Winchester community throughout their careers to date."