Top-level reorganisations are on the cards at five English local authorities, following a resignation, a leave of absence and a reshuffle.

Director of housing and community care at Reading Council, Eileen Means, has voluntarily agreed to take a leave of absence in order to allow a preliminary investigation into her department. The council has refused to comment further on the investigation, but under government performance indicators, the department has dropped from a two-star rating to one star since she took over three years ago.