Council chief executive apologises for “devastating impact” of CSE

Ms Ormondroyd said the authority could and should have done more in the past, adding: “We apologise for the devastating impact that this has had.

“What Rotherham needs now is a move towards stability, a clear way forward and the fresh start which Louise Casey and her team have called for.

“We understand the impact of the current uncertainties around the future leadership and management of the council on the people of Rotherham, and also on staff in the council.”

Ms Ormondroyd has written to the Department for Communities and Local Government, urging them to confirm who the five commissioners taking over will be and put them in place as soon as possible.

She added: “Given the scale of change which the council is now facing, it is inevitable that there will be questions that people will have that we can't answer immediately.

“However, we are committed to sharing information and providing clarity as soon as we can.

“In the meantime, the people of Rotherham will not see any disruption to the way in which we deliver our day-to-day services for citizens.”