Walsall Council has been told to sack its senior management team, including the chief executive, after a damning review of services.

The Audit Commission, which regulates local authorities, has recommended to government that the authority accept a team of private consultants to run services.

The move follows a highly critical report by the commission in January that condemned the council for having poor leadership.

Councillors are to take legal advice over the plan.

It totally negates the word democracy - where the heck is the democracy in this?

Councillor Ian Shires

Councillors claim they had already started moves to replace the senior management.

A leading Liberal Democrat on the council, Ian Shires, said: "I am appalled by this decision.

"It totally negates the word democracy. Where the heck is the democracy in this?.

"The people of Walsall went to the polls in May and elected a council and an administration.

"We should be judged by what we do not by what somebody else imposes upon us."

The proposals have been put forward to the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, for consideration.