Council plunged further into crisis by resignation

English Democrat mayor Peter Davies declined to comment on the prospect last night, but opposition group leaders warned the latest upheaval at the authority could prompt further ministerial control, in addition to the intervention already in place in children's services.

Paul Hart will leave office today after his sudden departure was hurriedly agreed within a few days. His resignation coincided with an unannounced inspection by Ofsted into children's services, which is effectively being managed from Whitehall after the deaths of seven children who were known to the department.

Mr Hart has cited "personal reasons" for his departure though he was under great pressure from the ongoing concerns over children's services and several other high-profile problems relating to the management of the authority.

He was due to attend a scheduled meeting with the Department for Communities and Local Government next Thursday, called to discuss Doncaster Council's failings after a ranking of 'poor' in the annual Audit Commission assessments of local authorities.

The council last night confirmed the meeting would go ahead with Doncaster's delegation led by a so far unidentified interim managing director.

Elected mayor Peter Davies has touted Robin Hooper, current interim deputy director of children's services, for the role in discussions with senior councillors.

But it is understood a political battle may be looming over the appointment, due to be ratified at a council meeting on Monday.

Mayor Davies yesterday denied comments attributed to him that the managing director salary of 175,000 was "a joke" and that he intended to halve it. But a council spokeswoman said he stood by his manifesto pledge to "stop huge pay offers for senior staff".

Garth Oxby, leader of the Independent Alliance, said: "I know there are concerns about possible government intervention because the assessments have been so low. I don't want it and I'm hoping the main groups on the council can get together to sort things out and move the council forward."

The Department for Children, Schools and Families said it would seek reassurance that the resignation of Paul Hart would not derail improvements in children's services.