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Please Michael Frater, Your report still needs your action!
How sad it would be if this in depth study of Surrey County Council was put on the back burner.The Frater report, based on years of his experience as Chief Executive. This exercise was started as a result of Surrey County Council finding itself on the receiving end of two very negative reviews by Ofsted and CSCI (now CQI) in relation to Children's Services and Adult Services. In January this year Michael Frater took the post of interim Chief Executive. His role was to help the organisation to recognise the inherent weaknesses, to restart the recovery process and prepare the ground for the new permanent Chief Executive. This no nonsense report is not your typical Whitehall ramble, it is an excellent examination of SCC. The main criticisms are focused on its leadership, culture and governance. "A particular worrying feature is a 'macho' style, a blame culture and bullying which is carried out by and experienced by Members and officers".
"This must be challenged and action taken, It is wholly unacceptable" And so this theme of imcompetitance, arrogance and control freakery runs through this report. If we assume that Surrey cannot be alone in their inability to manage, what of other Councils? What capable bodies can we rely upon to investigate, help and advise them? Sadly the author of this report says it would be inappropriate for him to make specific recommendations. That responsibility falls to those now in post. This is where I take issue with Mr Frater. I understand his position of not wanting to interfere, but if he walks away now and SCC, even with a new Chief Executive and Leader in place, will not be able to cope with such huge problem. I suggest that Mr Frater be asked to give a year of his expertise to guide and help SCC. The arrogance of power,and other problems highlighted in this report must be dealt with once and for all. Failure to do so will ensure the return of the bad old ways.
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