The role of chief executive at Harrow Borough council could soon be reinstated after it was scrapped to cut costs.

The council’s Labour administration has announced a consultation of its management structure and whether it should restore the position of chief executive.

The other option for the council would be to continue to have a senior officer taking on some of the duties of the old chief executive post.

Harrow Council will be talking to council employees, school staff, union members and councillors over the proposals with a recommendation due by September.

Its leader, Cllr David Perry, said: “We need the right management arrangements to lead us through the next four years and oversee an unprecedented cuts programme required of us by central Government.

“The previous administration deleted the role of chief executive with a minimal consultation which did not take in the views of staff.

“I pledged that we would consult on this within 30 days of forming the new administration and we are delivering on that.

“We need to ensure we have the right management arrangements for taking Harrow Council forward, and the input of staff and councillors is crucial to that.”

In November last year the Conservative administration scrapped the position to reduce costs, resulting in then chief executive Michael Lockwood leaving his job with a payoff of £168,000.

The leader of the council at the time Councillor Susan Hall said she believed a leaner management structure was right for the authority moving forward to help save the council money and protect front line services.

Before it was scrapped, the position of most senior officer in the council paid an annual salary of £183,097, however the council says no decision has been made on the salary of any future chief executive.

The Conservative administration at the time estimated removing the role would save the council up to £1.2million over four years.

If the position of chief executive is reinstated then a recruitment process could begin later this year.