New team to take over 'failing' council

A new chief executive and a team of commissioners are to be put in charge of Doncaster Council, it was announced yesterday.

The move follows a damning inspection by the Audit Commission, which criticised the authority over the deaths of seven children, and the torture of two boys in Edlington by two brothers, then aged 10 and 11.

A non-executive Intervention and Recovery Board will "support, challenge and monitor" progress and report to Eric Pickles, the Local Government Secretary.

Rob Vincent, currently chief executive of Kirklees Council, will now take the helm at Doncaster.

Mr Pickles said: "After 15 years of failure, Doncaster people need to be properly served by their council. The dysfunctional politics, poor services and ineffective leadership identified by the Audit Commission – all must be addressed."