Decision on crisis council put on hold until after election

A DECISION on how much power will be removed from crisis-hit Doncaster Council will not be made until after the General Election, the Government confirmed yesterday.

John Denham, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has already it clear that central government will intervene in the running of the authority after a damning Audit Commission inspection.

But his department said a final decision on what level of intervention is required would not be made until after May 6, when local elections also take place.

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A consultation process is already under way with officials from a number of government departments, including children, schools and families, meeting officials from Mr Denham's department yesterday to plan the way ahead.

The Government is also seeking the views of a number of other public sector organisations that work with Doncaster Council, including Yorkshire Forward and South Yorkshire Police.

The Audit Commission proposed two potential Government responses to a catalogue of mismanagement in Doncaster, the most severe being the takeover of some or all the council's functions. This would involve the secretary of state appointing independent commissioners to run the authority.

The second option would see the creation of an independent board to oversee the management of the council, with a government-appointed chairman.

It would also require the elected English Democrat mayor, Peter Davies, to seek the support of a Government-approved mentor.