Plymouth chief to go after star wanes

Plymouth Council’s director of social services has announced her
retirement after a difficult year for the department in which its
star rating fell from one to zero.

Lesley Reid, who has led Plymouth social services for two years,
will leave next month. She felt it was a “good time” for someone
else to take over.

The fall in star ratings contributed to the council’s sliding
comprehensive performance assessment score, which fell from “weak”
in 2002 to “poor” last year.

A performance action team is working with the social services
department, at the council’s request.

Chief executive Mike Robinson will run the department until a new
director is appointed.