A COUNCIL is considering axing 36 posts in an attempt to restructure services and make savings.

A full meeting of Dartford Council was due to agree a budget plan on Monday which would see the chopping of various posts throughout the authority.

Sixteen of the posts are currently vacant and the council hopes voluntary redundancies will mean there will be no compulsory redundancies.

Thirteen new posts would be created in the restructuring.

The council has turned to restructuring its services as it is estimated there needs to be savings of £1m for the 2008 to 2009 financial year.

Dartford hopes if savings are made this coming year, it will avoid having to save another £1m by 2011.

The Government has given Dartford Council a lower than inflation increase in grant for the coming year.

This is on top of additional responsibilities and pressures through services such as recycling and bus passes.

Council leader Councillor Jeremy Kite said people just wanted the council to deliver services and be economical in doing it.

He said: "It's never great to delete posts but if the alternative is cut services then I know what I would rather do.

"I am afraid from time to time you have to restructure.

"Our clients, the residents, are changing the way they want to deal with us.

"They are using the internet and a vast amount of payments are made that way.

"So restructuring in these modern times makes sense."

The council is also raising its share of the council tax by 4.9 per cent for the year meaning an increase of £145.26 to £152.46 for band D properties.

This does not include Kent County Council's share of the total bill as well as other elements made up from town and parish councils and Kent Police Authority.