AROUND £600,000 could be saved at Eden District Council if members vote today to axe 22 full-time equivalent posts and appoint a part-time chief executive.

The authority has already granted some voluntary redundancies, while others have been redeployed. Compulsory redundancies in the case of two staff are also being proposed.

If members vote in favour, the authority will have one less corporate director to run its services.

At the same meeting, councillors are recommended to confirm Robin Hooper as the authority’s permanent part-time chief executive, from January 1, 2012.

He is expected to work 2.5 days a week on average for 44 weeks per year – an annual cost of £65,000, and a saving on a full-time post of £40,000.

His appointment would earn him £590 a day, compared to the £770 a day he has cost the council while interim chief officer.

Under Mr Hooper’s executive leadership, Eden has achieved annual savings of £1m.

If the appointment is confirmed, Eden would not pursue plans to share a chief executive with Carlisle City Council.