ELEVEN senior managers' posts -- including the recently created head of communications -- could be axed by Burnley Council in a bid to streamline top jobs.

A union boss today voiced his concern after the results of a council review -- which recommends dropping the jobs and possible redundancies -- were revealed.

A consultation process is now underway with senior managers and union representatives, which will include one-to-one meetings with staff directly affected before a final decision in February.

A recent review by external auditors highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the council, including the need for more consistent corporate working across the council, difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff and stretched staff and senior management resources.

Some posts, including the head of communications, head of regeneration and development and head of engineering services, could be axed while others could be created in a bid to improve the operation.

Jobs under threat are: director of administration, internal audit manager, benefits manager, local taxation manager, head of community and recreation services, head of communications, environmental health and cleansing manager, engineering services manager, head of regeneration and development , head of economic development and head of member and support services.

Proposals were revealed to councillors at a meeting of the leadership scrutiny committee.

A new unit, performance and communications, would incorporate the communications unit.

Council bosses have stressed that the restructuring will improve council performance, tackle weaknesses, give value for money and support the delivery of the council's strategic objectives.

Unison representative at the council Peter Thorne said: "Most of the changes were expected and many are entirely sensible, however the fact that the head of communications is going is a concern."

Gerry Crookes was appointed head of a new communications unit in January after it was revealed the urgent Task Force recommendation had not been put in place nearly a year after it was suggested.

Council leader Stuart Caddy admitted plans for a communication unit had slipped after The Task Force report into the Burnley riots said the council should give "urgent attention" to establishing and resourcing a professional corporate communications unit by July 2002.

A council spokesman said today: "Under the council's customer first ethos we realise that we have too many service units which makes it harder to give integrated services to the public people find themselves passed from pillar to post - so the proposal is to reduce the number of units from 21 to 16.

"Because individual posts are identified as being at risk in the review the details have had to be kept private. The council has a duty to the staff affected not to publicise details of the review proposals. While some posts are being deleted, others are being created."

Chief executive Gillian Taylor said: "We are aware there are areas for improvement and this review will help us to tackle those areas head on."