Troubled council: continuity is key

Yet the problem is that the local authority – once again – finds itself facing more uncertainty following the abrupt departure of its managing director Paul Hart.

This turmoil could not come at a more crucial time. The council's scandal-hit children services department has been the subject of an Ofsted inspection this week after the deaths of seven at-risk children who had come under its jurisdiction.

Furthermore, senior officers are to be grilled next week by local government chiefs in Whitehall after the entire council was rated "poor" in its annual audit.

The prospect of even more departments coming under government control, in addition to children's services, cannot be ruled out.

This decision – and appointment of Mr Hart's successor – will be fundamental to restoring morale among council staff, and improving Doncaster's battered reputation.

Some will contend, with justification, that a council should not find itself in such a predicament when it has a directly-elected mayor, a managing director, a council cabinet and its main department run by outsiders.

Clearly, improved lines of communication – and governance – will be vital in restoring confidence in the Mansion House.

Continuity is another pre-requisite. It is ironic that Mr Hart was originally tasked with transforming the authority when his predecessor Susan Law's position became untenable in 2006 following a protracted power struggle with Martin Winter, the then elected mayor.

Pivotal to this process is Mr Winter's successor Peter Davies, who was elected last June and whose reign has been punctuated by some acerbic comments and policies. His manifesto included a commitment to scale back executive pay, though he denies reports that he described Mr Hart's 175,000-a-year salary as "a joke".

Many will probably endorse this sentiment. But, if the borough is to attract suitably experienced candidates, Mr Davies will probably have to revise his negotiating position – or accept second best which is, frankly, not an option.

At this critical juncture, Doncaster requires responsible leadership while a new senior management team is put together. Anything less will, potentially, threaten the town's political and economic revival.