Published: 02/09/2010 12:00 - Updated: 10/09/2010 09:32

THE cost-cutting axe is set to fall on support for East Herts District Council chairman, Sawbridgeworth’s councillor Tony Dodd, as the authority battles to balance its books.

The Conservative first citizen’s administrative help during his year in office has been singled out as a possible saving as his fellow Tories on the ruling executive prepare for an autumn emergency budget.

This week he was tight-lipped about the plan to slash £10,600 from his office – leaving the chairman with just one hour of administrative support each week for official duties attending fetes, openings and exhibitions across the district and promoting pride in the community.

However, his fellow members were more forthcoming about the suggestion, which officers admit could have “detrimental impact on reputation and promotion of the authority”.

Council chiefs have also suggested £56,000 savings could be made by restructuring the electoral services department – a potentially sensitive move after hundreds of voters were turned away from polling stations across England during this year’s General Election.

The cash-strapped authority claims it must find savings of £1.2m in the next financial year, increasing to £2.2m in 2014-15.

The committee has also been asked to consider further staffing reductions of £36,000, slashing the hours of the performance and communications manager and a £14,000 cut in the public consultation budget.

A report by officers to the committee also suggested taking advantage of keen work experience interns to make up for redundancies.

The ruling executive councillors will review the scrutiny committee’s recommendations at a meeting on Tuesday, September 7 before further consideration by full council.