Silence on future of another boss (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Silence on future of another boss

BOSSES at Swindon Council are remaining tight lipped about the future of social services director Keith Skerman.

The local authority is refusing to confirm whether he will return, saying that the 51-year-old is still on leave.

Speaking at his home in Maidenhead, Bucks, shortly after the announcement last month, he said: "I am on leave at home, and I'm not at liberty to say anything else."

Mr Skerman faced a serious setback in November, when promises to improve standards were shattered by a damning government inspection. Social services which cares for the town's neediest people has now been zero-rated for three years running.

Hopes for the future are being pinned on Kent County Council which has signed a £3.6m deal to haul Swindon out of the doldrums.

In June 2003, Mr Skerman joined from the London Borough of Hillingdon, where he was head of community care.

A social care professional with more than 25 years experience, he replaced Marie Seaton.

She resigned in 2002 after the Social Services Inspectorate gave Swindon a zero-star rating.