Gosport Council bans doormats

The Daily Telegraph reports that Lib Dem-run Gosport Council is banning doormats on health and safety grounds. Intriguingly a Council spokesman is quoted justifying the decision. But Cllr Keith Gill, the Lib Dem councillor in charge of housing, attacks it.

Who is in charge of the clattering train? If Cllr Gill thinks it was a mistake why hasn't the order by rescinded, apologies issued, the relevant housing officer sacked, etc? Why is the Council still going ahead with prohibition and the spokesman still defending it? This sounds like a Council where the officers are running affairs, very badly, while the councillors notionally in authority offer an impotent running commentary.