LANCASHIRE Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw has been told to update the panel of councillors that oversees his work following his plan to dispense with his deputy and three assistants.

Last month he revealed new proposals to restructure his office.

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His failure to inform the Police and Crime Panel of the scheme 'disappointed' its chair Kate Hollern.

Now she has written to Mr Grunshaw calling for him to report on the scheme and the progress of the consultation about making his number two and Blackburn Labour politician Ibrahim Masters and the other three assistants redundant.

The plans, currently out for ‘consultation’, would save almost £100,000 a year.

Coun Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen council, revealed last week she has 'asked the commissioner for a report on his restructuring plans'.

Mr Grunshaw said: "The restructure of my office is the subject of an ongoing consultation, and is not dependent on the approval of the Police and Crime Panel.

"However, I have written to Coun Hollern pledging to keep her and the other panel members informed of the progress of the restructure. "Indeed, all panel members were invited to an informal meeting at my office ton Monday, to discuss the proposals in more detail and to allow them to ask any questions they might have.

"Unfortunately, Coun Hollern was unable to attend, but has been offered the opportunity to make representations during the consultation period."

Coun Hollern said: "I was invited to Monday's meeting on Friday.

"Sadly, I had other commitments.

"Two members of the panel did attend. Ribble Valley council leader Stuart Hirst was there and told me he was happy with Mr Grunshaw's explanation, "The commissioner has promised to update me further before the consultation finishes, probably at the end of this week.

"I am satisfied with his response."

Mr Master, paid £29,750 a year, said last night: "No comment.”

The three assistants - Saima Afzal, Amanda Webster, and Bruce Jassi - receive £20,400 annually each.

This is the latest stage in a restructuring that saw Mr Grunshaw’s chief executive Miranda Carruthers Watt’s £122,203 a year post unexpectedly scrapped in June.

The first year of office for Mr Grunshaw, paid £85,000 a year, was overshadowed by an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation into his expenses.

The same body is now managing a probe into Mr Master over his alleged ‘misconduct’ after an incident in Blackburn.