Borough in crisis

Even though the ultimate responsibility for the torture of two boys in Edlington rests with the brothers concerned, this horrific case could – and should – have been prevented if the authority's children's services department, and other agencies, were functioning effectively.

This did not happen. More than 30 chances to intervene in the attackers' family were missed. Lessons from previous inquiries were not learned. And – yet again – these shortcomings were exacerbated by a lack of leadership.

These are familiar excuses. They have all been used to explain the deaths of seven vulnerable children on Doncaster's at risk register.

Yet the efforts of staff to address these ongoing concerns continue to be compromised by the chaotic leadership at the Mansion House. The abrupt resignation of chief officer Paul Hart, days before senior officials meet Whitehall civil servants to discuss Doncaster's continuing failings, was followed by "bullying" accusations as councillors chose an interim replacement. These machinations, including the chairman of the senior appointments committee leaving the meeting in tears, do not inspire confidence.

Yet, if local councillors and the town's directly-elected mayor are to be entrusted with their borough's political revival, and also avoid the embarrassing prospect of even further government intervention, they – and the senior officers concerned – need to demonstrate that they are up to this task and can operate responsibly as a team. So far, they have not done so.