A fresh start

Even Margaret Thatcher's administration, when it found itself at loggerheads with Labour councils in the 1980s, did not consider the scale of measures unveiled yesterday. Those differences were primarily about policy and ideology.

In Doncaster, however, the issue is one of management failure – and how 15 years of infighting has left residents with a council which has been labelled as the worst in Britain.

The proposed changes were, effectively, the only option open to Yorkshire-born Communities Secretary Eric Pickles – countless management upheavals have only added to the leadership void at Doncaster where, for years, there has been a perpetual power struggle between the town's elected mayors, the council's ruling cabinet and a succession of chief officers.

It is significant that the proposed board of commissioners, who will oversee every decision, will serve for up to three years. This will neatly take the authority to May 2013 when Mayor Peter Davies's term of office will end. He was one of many individuals heavily criticised by a recent Audit Commission report – and the Government, rightly, wants Doncaster's management to be reformed by then.

Once the consultation period ends, it is essential that Mr Pickles provides local residents with greater clarity on the commissioners' precise role, how they will function and what kind of improved service local people can expect in three years' time – the key to this policy's success.

Such assurances are essential so everyone – whether they are a

councillor, senior official or public sector worker – can belatedly start pulling together in the same direction.