THE Government is "running out of patience with Swindon", council leader Mike Bawden was told yesterday.

Coun Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) was summoned to Whitehall for a dressing down from Averil Nottage, the Acting Chief Inspectorate for Social Services.

"I have to admit I'd have said exactly the same as she did if I'd been in her place," said Coun Bawden.

Swindon's social services have been zero-rated two years running and branded among the bottom seven of all the country's 150 councils.

"I was told we had to improve fast and I conceded that there was still a hell of a lot to do," said Coun Bawden. "I explained that our new director of social services had been in place only since July.

"We have a recovery plan and I talked this through. It includes specific milestones which will have to be met, but first they have to be agreed by cabinet and also the national Social Services Inspectorate.

"It was an awkward position for me because I was trying to defend the performance of the previous Labour administration. I made it clear that for me history is interesting but the future is much more important."