TENDRING Council’s workforce could be cut by about a third, without councillors having a say.

Chief executive Ian Davidson has been given powers to hire and fire staff in a bid to push through £4.4million of savings in the next four years.

The authority spends £16.5million a year on wages.

But its overall budget is due to be cut to £17.5milion within two years.

Councillors voted 43 to 12 to give Mr Davidson the power to agree voluntary redundancies and make compulsory lay-offs – as long as he delivers the same service.

Previously councillors had to rubber-stamp staffing changes.

Leader Neil Stock said: “When we appointed Mr Davidson, he made it clear he needed to make structural changes.

“Anyone can do the maths. There is no point employing staff if you can’t pay for their desks.”

Labour councillor Ivan Henderson challenged leading councillors to reveal how many of the council’s 650 jobs they expected to cut and what services would be scrapped or outsourced.

Mr Stock did not give a figure during an extraordinary meeting at Clacton Town Hall.

But he said later up to 200 jobs could go.

He said: “I don’t have specific numbers at the moment. It’s not for the leader to get involved in staff levels.”

Most Tendring First councillors supported the motion, after group leader Pierre Oxley’s amendments were agreed.

Group leaders of each party and the human resources committee will review the changes after six months.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Davidson said: “I am very grateful for the support of the members.

“But, I reiterate, any significant changes are member decisions.

“My job is to deliver the priorities of members and to give them the staffing structure to ensure they get good quality services, within budget.

“The first round of the changes will go ahead and new service heads will look at different areas of the organisation to make sure it’s working efficiently and effectively.”

Labour councillors described Mr Davidson’s extra powers as undemocratic. Leader Les Double said: “If we were in power, we would need to make cuts more people-friendly.”