TOWN Hall top brass are to get pay increases as part of another shake-up in the higher echelons.

The number of departments is being cut from five to four, which leaders say will mean a better and more cost-effective service.

A new post of deputy chief executive is being created, and new salary scales, which they council will not disclose, implemented.

Bosses feel they need to offer more money because of difficulties in filling the most senior posts. They had only two applicants, both in-house, for the long-vacant chief social services officer job.

Under the restructure, the present chief executive's and corporate resources departments will be merged. It will incorporate finance and e-government, personnel, legal and democratic services, policy, best value and area boards.

Development and environmental services will join with competitive services to form one department. It will cover planning and economic development, engineering services, property and technical services, environmental services and operational services and leisure services.

Finally, the current "super" department of personal and community services will be split into two. One will look after education and culture, and the other will embrace health, housing and social services.

The new structure has been developed by Mr Mark Sanders, the council's chief executive.

"Our staff do an excellent job, but we are under no illusions that not only can we do better, we must do better," he said. "I feel confident that we will not only attain, but perhaps even exceed, the high standards we have set."

Councillors say that, despite the pay rises, they will actually save £66,497 through the restructure.

Councillor John Byrne, council leader, said: "We have struggled to recruit individuals, particularly to our more senior posts. While spending no extra money, we have been able to enhance salary rates for some posts, although even now they remain in the lower quartile.

"If we want to attract the right people, and retain the services of those currently with us, then we have to pay them the going rate."