THE decision to axe David Bryant from his post of chief executive at Bromsgrove District Council was made as the authority faces up to meeting higher expenditure imposed by central government, it has been claimed.

As we exclusively reported last week, Mr Bryant, aged 47, has been told his £60,000 a year job is to go.

He has until next Monday to put forward reasons why he should stay in his post.

The decision to make him redundant was initially conceived and subsequently carried out by a small group of senior councillors in the Tory-controlled council. They had the backing of the full group.

The news came as a stunning blow to Mr Bryant and staff at the Council House, in Burcot Lane.

It is ironical that, as the man responsible for pushing through and implementing the council's cash saving Best Value plans, he should himself become a victim of that same policy.

Further, he recently took on the role of executive personnel chief after Sally Fraser was made redundant from her £39,000 a year job.

She has until today to appeal.

Officers, Tory councillors and Mr Bryant this week refused to comment publicly, but an insider confided to the Advertiser/Messenger that new accountancy procedures imposed by the government will next year alone set the authority back some £400,000.

And possible fundamental reorganisation, again in line with government policy, plus inflation, is likely to add to the council's financial burden.

However, no further redundancies are proposed.

If Mr Bryant's role is phased out the job of running the council could be filled by a managing director recruited from within the Council House.

Increasing small authorities are going that way as neighbouring Wychavon did last year.

Labour group leader Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley) reacted by saying he was dismayed at hearing the news as Mr Bryant had still to reply to many of his letters.