PLANS to merge key local authority services in two districts were given the go-ahead by councillors last night.

Conservative-controlled South Oxfordshire District Council and the Liberal Democrat-run Vale of White Horse District Council expect the move to save them £750,000 a year.

But up to nine senior manager are likely to face the axe because of the re-structuring.

A new shared management team, headed by the new chief executive is to be created over the coming months.

Employees from both councils would be part of the team and this team would take control of vital services like housing, planning and environmental health for both areas.

However, the first step is to appoint a new chief executive, which is expected to be complete by September.

Councillors will have to chose between the two current chief executives - one of whom will be made redundant.

Senior staff would have to split their time between the two council bases at Abingdon and Crowmarsh Gifford.

Councillors at the Vale voted in favour of the move with 24 votes to 17 whilst councillors at South Oxfordshire approved it with 16 votes to six.

The two councils are already committed to a shared waste collection and street cleansing service and for the past 18 months they've employed a joint head of finance.