COUNCIL bosses in Burnley look set to give a guarded welcome to plans by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust to 'go it alone'.

Blueprints have been unveiled by the trust, which runs Burnley General and Royal Blackburn hospitals, for foundation status, which would enable the organisation to become self-governing.

Foundation trusts are given more independence to decide their healthcare priorities and are overseen by elected governors, drawn from patients, staff, councils and the local community.

But councillors in Burnley, where controversy has greeted last November's removal of 'blue-light' accident and emergency facilities from the Casterton Avenue hospital, have shown reluctance in backing the Blackburn-based trust's ambitions.

Initially the authority's housing and scrutiny committee voted to oppose the foundation trust bid, after raising questions about how planned extensions at Burnley Hospital would be paid for.

As revealed by the Lancashire Telegraph last year, the Burnley site is due to be home to a £27 million redevelopment, including a breast cancer centre, a birthing centre and specialised neo-natal facilities for East Lancashire.

Councillors were also anxious to know why Burnley councillors did not appear to have a guaranteed rep-resentation on the foundation trust's governing body.

Nine seats have been allocated to primary care trusts, education departments and local authorities but it was not felt likely that Burnley, in line with other district councils, would have its own representation.

After further discussions the council has done a U-turn while still expressing concerns about pace of change locally.

In a draft response, the council's executive will say: "It is clear the committee had concerns regarding the proposals and these were focused around current changes to service(s) within the trust and the committee felt there was a need for much more detail on planned services and developments.""

But councillors are mindful of the fact that if the East Lancashire trust does not apply for foundation status then another health body, such as neighbouring Airedale, could make moves to assume control of services, weakening any influence the authority may have over crucial decision-making processes.

Executive members, who have previously supported similar bids by mental health provider Lancashire Care and Whalley-based Calderstones Hospital, are calling for a district council member to be given a seat on the foundation trust board.

The consultation period over the foundation trust bid ends on January 13.