'Worst council' to learn how much of its work will pass to Government

DONCASTER council -labelled the worst in Britain - will find out today how much of its powers will pass to the Government following an inspection report which the Audit Commission said was its most damning on a local authority in 30 years.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Jun 2010, 10:44 BST
Updated 2nd Jun 2010, 12:07 BST

The watchdog ordered a snap emergency inspection of the council earlier this year and found the authority was dysfunctional and failing the people of the town and had no hope of putting itself in order without significant Government intervention.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles will today announce his decision on whether to take full control of the authority or create an independent board to oversee management, with a Government-appointed chairman.

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Sources have said full control is extremely unlikely, and they expect a board to formed.

The commission has proposed two potential Government responses, the most severe being the takeover of all the council's functions, with Mr Pickles appointing independent commissioners to run the authority.

The second option would see the creation of the independent board, a move supported by leading figures including Mayor Peter Davies, chief executive Jo Miller, leader of the Liberal Democrat group Paul Coddington and Martin Williams on behalf of Community Group.

Coun Coddington said yesterday: "I think an independent board would be the best way forward. We really need to keep some control of what's going on in the town."

Related topics:GovernmentDoncasterBritainLiberal Democrat