Following April’s damning Audit Commission report into Doncaster Council - which blasted Doncaster for its “deep-seated culture of poor governance” – the government has published a draft detailing its intervention into the troubled council’s administration.

Its first decision: to appoint a new chief executive, in the shape of Rob Vincent, chief executive of Kirklees Council – who the government said has a “track record of improvement” -and three commissioners.

The council was criticised over the deaths of seven local children, but its handling of the now notorious Edlington case – where a 10 and 11 year old assualted two other young boys - was the tipping point, according to the Audit Commission.

The three commissioners have powers to appoint, discipline or dismiss officers. The government will also set up the Doncaster Intervention and Recovery Board, comprising the commissioners, chief executive, a number of external advisors and the children’s services intervention independent chair Peter Kemp. 

Vincent said he was looking forward to committing himself to “helping Doncaster re-find its stride” and “make the progress that all who know the town are looking for.”

He added: “It has had many problems over a number of years, and there will be difficulties in finding a confident way forward. But it is clear that many individuals, officers and politicians, remain highly committed and motivated to achieve the best for local people.”