SWINDON council leader Mike Bawden has been summoned to Whitehall for a governmental dressing down today.

The summons has come from the Acting Chief Inspectorate for Social Services, Averil Nottage.

Joining Coun Bawden (Old Town and Lawns) in the firing line will be the chief executive, Simon Birch, Coun Jemima Milton (Wroughton and Chiseldon) and Keith Skerman, the new director of Social Services.

"We're there for a kicking and there's very little we can do about it except plead our innocence, which inevitably will fall on deaf ears," said Coun Bawden.

"It's worse than a trial because they've already found us guilty. We're being hauled before the big chief of Social Services to have the riot act read to us. We can do little more than say 'Yes, sir' and 'No, sir' and trot back home with our tails between our legs."

The high profile ticking off related to the inspection that resulted in Swindon's social services being zero-rated for the second year running and branded among the bottom seven of all the country's 150 councils.

The second zero-rating was imposed for the year April 2002 to March 2003.

"Although I wasn't the leader for the period in question, I have to carry the can," said Coun Bawden. "What it boils down to is a corporate dressing down.

"It doesn't matter which party's in power, as a council we're held collectively responsible.

"I cannot possibly predict the outcome, but I don't expect it to be a very pleasant experience for any of us.

"What I shall do is fight our corner as robustly as possible, demonstrating the measures we've already taken and the progress we're making."

The Government has already warned Swindon Council that its social services operation could be "confiscated" and handed to a private specialist organisation to run until the borough proves itself capable of resuming control.

Mr Ladyman labelled such drastic action "the nuclear option", but said he would not shy from the ultimate sanction if he believed it had become necessary.

In addition to failing the needy and vulnerable, Swindon social services has been accused by inspectors of fostering a climate of fear, arrogance and complacency.

Departmental head Marie Seaton resigned shortly after that blistering criticism.

Now a new management team is in place, with Keith Skerman in the hot seat.

Coun Bawden added: "We know that social services is our biggest challenge. We are starting to meet targets. But this won't help our case because the kicking is for the past and there's nothing we can do about that. All we can do is lick our wounds and promise to do better."

Because Labour were in charge until May, Coun Bawden has invited the council's Labour group leader, Kevin Small (Western), to join the punishment party.

"We'll just have to wait to see if he decides to turn up," said Coun Bawden.

This comes two days before the Audit Commission will announce the overall rating for councils' performances. Last December, Swindon was placed in the bottom 15 of 150.

Michael Litchfield