18 March 2005
Lincolnshire has described being the first county council to be subject to government intervention as a 'wake-up call' in the latest twist in a saga of misconduct and feuds.
The Conservative-run council was deemed 'unlikely to improve without external help' in a damning report from the Audit Commission.
Auditors said the council was 'in denial' about the need for reform, despite languishing in the 'fair' category for Comprehensive Performance Assessments for the past three years and the ousting of its chief executive in 2004.
These and the high-profile trial and conviction of former leader Jim Speechley for misconduct last year had 'weakened the council's focus'. Yet, according to auditors, members assumed the worst was behind them and were questioning the need for change at all. Unsurprisingly, leadership was found to be weak.
Jan Didrichsen, Lincolnshire's interim chief executive, said the report showed that the council had not 'moved forward sufficiently. This report also makes clear that there are some big concerns around staff relationships and trust within the council.'
The council has agreed to work with a board led by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the commission to devise a plan for reform.
Among the changes will be compulsory training for councillors and the appointment of a new chief executive.
PFmar2005
