19 April 2010
Government will intervene in Doncaster
Heather Jameson
The Government will intervene at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, following the advice of the Audit Commission.
Rob Whiteman, the new managing director of the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) will chair an emergency advisory board to support acting chief executive Jo Miller.
Ms Miller is currently on a two-month secondment as acting chief executive of Doncaster from her post of deputy chief executive at the Local Government Association (LGA).
John Denham: 'I will use my statutory powers to intervene' The Audit Commission’s damning corporate governance inspection report, published earlier today, called on the secretary of state to use his powers and step in to the failing authority.
The Government is now considering what form the intervention should take, and is considering appointing commissioners to take on some or all of the council’s functions.
Communities secretary John Denham said: ‘I take very seriously the failure of Doncaster local authority – the mayor, cabinet, chief officers and councillors - to serve the people of Doncaster well. From the outset, I have made it clear that I would take whatever action was necessary to look after the best interests of local people. I can make it clear today that I will use my statutory powers to intervene.
‘I am immediately establishing an emergency advisory board chaired by Rob Whiteman and involving other senior colleagues with relevant experience, so that if urgent decisions are needed at the council, it can provide clear leadership and support to the acting chief executive. I will not hesitate, if necessary, to use my power of direction to enable me, in consultation with the board, to take further action.
‘I am now considering the form of intervention that will best serve the people of Doncaster. There should be no doubt that I am actively considering appointing commissioners to take over some or all of the functions of the council.
‘I call on everyone at the local authority to accept the report’s findings, acknowledge the severity of the failings, and work with Government and other partners to move on from this unacceptable state of corporate paralysis for the good of Doncaster.’
Rob Whiteman, said: ‘The residents of Doncaster quite rightly deserve assurance that every possible effort will be made to help the local council improve. It is absolutely vital that changes are put in place to the way the authority operates, services are safeguarded and local people start to receive a better deal.’
Monday, 19 April 2010
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