THIRTY finance jobs are to be axed by Lancashire County Council as part of a £1.35million savings programme for 2013.

And another 122 posts are set to be transferred to One Connect, the authority’s partnership with the telecoms giant BT.

The posts to be cut range from assistant director, service heads and unit managers down to apprentice, graduate trainee and assistant roles.

Some posts will be re-established in a new streamlined structure, concentrating on new departments like treasury and investments, financial planning, accounting, schools finance and auditing.

As there are efforts to bring all financial functions under one roof, 11 positions with the adult learning unit of the education directorate, and an insurance expert from Lancashire Commercial Group, will also be moved into the new structure. Currently there are around 40 vacancies in the 429-strong department, which will be reduced to 399 as a result of the changes.

With the creation of a new wider county benefits service, 56 jobs from the existing department will be transferred to One Connect, and a further 66 positions from the pensions service.

Under the new regime, the finance department will then have an establishment of 277 directly under the authority’s control.

Gill Kilpatrick, the county treasurer, said: “The current economic climate and the opportunities that are available through technology mean that now is the time to look at how we currently deliver our financial services and develop a new way of working that builds on our strengths and targets our resources to where they are most needed.”

Perceived problems with the existing set-up include a lack of flexibility and difficulties in working with different computer systems.

It is hoped that the new benefits service will direct more potential claimants to their entitlements, which will also provide a financial boost to the county council.