Seven of 18 service directors with Wiltshire Council are taking voluntary redundancy, saving a claimed £300,000 a year.

Jacqui White, Niki Lewis, Stephanie Denovan, Brad Fleet, Mark Smith, Mandy Bradley, and Fiona Fitzpatrick, who all headed departments, have opted to leave.

Sian Walker had already left the council.

The number of people in those positions, now re-named associate directors, has been cut to 10, for now, with those staying taking on more responsibilities.

However, the council wants to appoint two more associate directors. Associate directors have seen their wages rise by 7.5 per cent, on average, to recognise their additional responsibilities.

Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott said: “I would like to thank all the staff that have taken voluntary redundancy in the last few weeks, for all their efforts down the years.

“I wish them every success with their new chapters.”

In the next four years, Wiltshire Council’s funding from the Government will drop by £22m.

The authority is planning to make £120m of cuts.

This summer, the council ran a voluntary redundancy programme in which 252 frontline staff decided to leave the council.

It aimed to reduce spending by £4m, with an expected annual saving of £6.9m in salary costs.

Former Wiltshire Council chief executive Andrew Kerr, made redundant in 2011, was appointed Cornwall Council’s chief executive on Tuesday. Mr Kerr, who had been chief operating officer for Cardiff Council, will be paid £158,000 to £176,000.