ISN't it good to know there are still some people in this world that have courage and integrity?

Compare the actions of the Royal Naval Commander Richard Farrington, Captain of HMS Nottingham, which ran aground off the coast of Australia this week, with those of the present Chief Executive of Swindon Borough Council.

Cdr Farrington immediately accepted full responsibility for the fate of his ship even though he was not in command on the ship's bridge at the time of the incident.

Swindon's CE on the other hand remains steadfastly in post despite last year's terrible Ofsted report on the LEA and this year's equally damming report on the social services department.

The director of education took the blame last year and even the lead member for education, Coun Chris Eley, was man enough to accept the political share of the responsibility.

After a vote of no confidence, the Labour administration stood aside and the residents of Swindon were treated to a breath of fresh air in a relatively young and inexperienced Conservative administration.

Led by Coun Mike Bawden, they set about trying to change the culture within the Civic Offices and were primarily responsible for pulling together an Education Partnership Board which looks set to put Swindon's education system and our children's futures back on track.

No doubt this time, with a Labour administration back in power, the finger is being pointed at the present director of social services to be the fall guy or woman for the latest debacle. In the meantime, the CE sits silent behind the Labour leader and cabinet, apparently immune from any responsibility for the failures in two major departments.

There is no way any Chief Executive can shirk off his share of the overall responsibility for HMS Swindon ploughing into the harbour wall twice in quick succession.

MIKE WARR

March Close

Abbey Meads