Only two of Dudley’s top eleven jobs currently have a permanent officer in post after more directors left the council.

Recent departures by directors of public health, regeneration and enterprise and customer and commercial services mean the authority only has long-standing directors in the housing and environment departments.

Referred to as ‘the golden triangle’ along with the chief executive, Dudley’s director of finance, Clive Heaphy, and the lead for law and governance, Tom Senior, are not permanent post holders. 

The council’s directorates of adult social care, children’s services and public health all have interim directors while the roles of director in digital, customer and commercial services and regeneration and enterprise are vacant. 

The cash-strapped council has to save £42m this year and is working on a restructure which will see senior officer jobs cut by a half to save £1.2m however the changes will come at a cost, with a forecast £8.6m in payouts to former staff. 

The planned restructure of directors came under fire from the now leader of Dudley’s Labour opposition group, Cllr Adam Aston, in December at a meeting to debate the plans.

Cllr Aston said: “I have some concern about the proposal to effectively downgrade the office of director of public health to the fourth tier of the structure. 

“The DPH is a statutory role, it is by definition a strategic role.

“I am concerned about what message this proposal sends out about Dudley’s commitment about the vital importance of public health function.” 

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said: “The council is facing significant financial challenges, alongside increased service demands. 

“The new operating model will allow us to work in a more streamlined and efficient way. At the same time it will ensure key frontline services for the most vulnerable in our borough continue to be delivered.”