Turmoil at under-fire council as chief survives

An extraordinary full council meeting was called yesterday over last month's appointment of Tim Leader, which followed the sudden resignation of former chief executive Paul Hart.

Mr Leader took over on January 18, after a majority of councillors supported his appointment, but mayor Peter Davies immediately said he was unhappy with the decision.

Mr Davies said he wanted another officer to take the job, and following the meeting a letter was leaked to the Yorkshire Post in which the differences between Mr Leader and Mr Davies were made plain.

Yesterday's marathon six-hour meeting – most of it held in secret – was called after legal advice revealed the mayor had a right to object to Mr Leader's job offer.

Before doors were closed, angry councillors demanded his objections be made public and asked what he hoped to achieve by removing Mr Leader.

Members also reacted furiously to revelations Mr Davies had taken legal advice on the matter privately and accused him of "keeping them in the dark".

Councillors finally emerged at 8pm after rejecting each and every objection made by the mayor and his cabinet, reaffirming their support for Mr Leader.

The latest turmoil came as the council's new permanent director of children's services, Chris Pratt, carried out his third full day in a job which will see him attempting to turn around the problems which led to the deaths of seven vulnerable children and the shocking attacks in Edlington.

In an interview published in today's Yorkshire Post, he said he had to be "aware" of the political situation but added councillors and staff supported his plans to overhaul the department.

He said recent failings should be blamed on the weaknesses of earlier management.