Surrey County Council’s trading standards department plans to cut management costs in half to save over half a million pounds each year.

Potential savings of £257,000 were identified by a public value review into the consumer watchdog to improve its efficiency and save taxpayers money.

Combined with previous savings of £268,000, trading standards hope to make savings of £525,000 each year.

The savings will be made by looking at ways to generate more income and by working with other organisations, such as borough and district councils, and sharing managers or combining licensing operations.

Kay Hammond, Surrey County Council's cabinet member for community safety, said: "We're proud of the good work trading standards does but there is always room for improvement.

“The public value review has found ways to protect and enhance the service while providing better value for money.

“This will be achieved by working more closely with other organisations, by generating more income and through enabling our staff to work more efficiently."

Recommendations put forward in the public value review were agreed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, November 2.