SUE Bates has done absolutely the right thing in resigning her post as Swindon's council leader.

It is simply a shame that she has not chosen to fall on her sword earlier.

This is not about party politics or personalities.

We have always considered Coun Bates an honourable person with integrity and the best interests of the town at heart.

The problem is that she leads an administration that has lost all credibility in the eyes of the public.

The Evening Advertiser has been full of revelations about problems within the council for the past couple of years.

We have revealed how first its education and then its social services departments were branded as failing by the Government.

Atkins, the company brought in to run Swindon's council tax and benefits service, is set to be replaced after months of chaotic failures that have left thousands of people with late payments.

Key officers, including council chief executive Paul Doherty, education chief Mike Lusty and head of social services Marie Seaton have either left or have been signed off on extended sick leave.

And today we reveal more false promises as the project to replace Swindon's main central library that for years has embarrassed the town has collapsed.

We wish Coun Bates well and thank her for her hard work over the years.

But it is time for fresh ideas and fresh faces in our Civic Offices.

We need strong leadership that can bring new hope to a population that frankly deserves better.