THE first step of a radical overhaul of Swindon Council has been carried out by the new chief executive.

Last year, the council was slated by Government inspectors as one of the worst in the country, and has been told to improve.

Now Simon Birch has brought in wholesale management changes, including creating a new department of 'cultural change' to include human resources and policy and performance management.

Mr Birch said: "This is all the nitty-gritty behind the scenes, but is important nonetheless because it will begin to show results very soon. These are all big changes."

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) said: "When the council failed its corporate assessment last year a radical rethink of the council had to be undertaken, but couldn't be implemented until Simon took up his post.

"Councillors and officers must now grasp the nettle to ensure Swindon becomes an above-average performing council because that's the objective."

Leaders of all three political parties sanctioned the changes at a recent special meeting.

Former chief executive Paul Doherty resigned last year, and a period of intense upheaval shook the Civic Offices ahead of his resignation when social services director Marie Seaton and education director Mike Lusty both left.