A town in turmoil

For its inspectors will have witnessed, at first hand, how the town's leaders continue to place self-interest before public interest and the need to work together to restore the council's reputation, and in particular the town's children's services department whose many failings have been so widely chronicled.

This was borne out by the elected mayor Peter Davies's proposals for a three per cent council tax cut being unceremoniously rejected by councillors who voted in favour of a 2.95 per cent increase.

If this was not bad enough for Mr Davies, and all those who depend upon the council's services, a vote of no confidence against the Mayor, and his close colleagues, was then passed by a large margin.

It's difficult to see how either move will benefit Doncaster in the longer run. Nothing has changed following yesterday's meeting. Mr Davies is still Mayor – and he has five days to decide his next move over the budget impasse.

But, perhaps, all those concerned should remember this: would Doncaster Council be in such a mess if the politicians concerned devoted as much energy to improving under-performing departments, such as children's services, as they spent verbally abusing each other?

This is not the leadership, or the spirit of co-operation that

Doncaster requires so urgently. It is grossly irresponsible and it needs to stop.