Rotherham Council gets back more powers

Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid has proposed powers including waste collection and community safety be given back to elected councillors.

The Government sent in commissioners to run the authority in 2015 in the wake of the child sexual exploitation scandal in the town and a highly critical report in the running of the council.

Powers have steadily been return to elected councillors over the last two years on the recommendation of the commissioners.

Children’s services will remain in control of the commissioners for the time being.

Lead commissioner Mary Ney said “robust improvements” had been made in the way the council runs its children’s services but there was “still more to do” before it was handed back.

Rotherham Council leader Chris Read, who took over after the scandal, said: “This is the most significant indication so far from Government that the council is firmly on the right track.

“It is testament to the hard work of many staff and councillors over the last two and a half years and should give residents confidence in the steps we’ve taken over that time.”