TWO top-earning officials at a Hampshire town hall are set to be made redundant.

The posts of Winchester City Council’s chief operating officer, held by Stephen Whetnall, and finance officer, held by Alexis Garlick, are to be merged as part of a £100,000-a-year savings drive.

The combined salaries with salaries and expenses, along with other perks, are worth £170,000.

Rebel councillors have slammed plans to merge their roles, worth a combined £170,000 per year in salary and expenses.

Opposition councillor Rose Burns 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 the controversial Silver Hill scheme.

Cllr Burns, who lost a motion earlier this month to block the redundancies, said: “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?”

Mr Whetnall is one of Winchester’s most senior officers and has worked at the Guildhall for around 25 years.

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.

Ms Garlick declined to comment and Mr Whetnall did not 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.

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.”