Oxfordshire CC’s largest ever transformation initiative could save up to £58m a year, officers have estimated.

The detailed business case for a new council operating model currently estimates the loss of up to 890 full-time equivalent posts over a two to three-year period, with compulsory redundancies not ruled out.

A report on the transformation plan to senior councillors next month read: ‘Within the context of tight financial management and sustained difficult decision-making, this represents a one-off opportunity to rest the organisation’s basic framework for a generation.

‘As has been seen in the financial crisis impacting Northamptonshire, responding to this scenario requires prudent financial management and sustained difficult decision making.

‘Different but serious challenges are emerging in counties including East Sussex and Lancashire.

‘Without further change, the council will continue to face the challenge of long-term financial sustainability.’