BURNLEY council workers have complained that they don't feel valued by councillors as part of a survey into conditions at work.

Their feelings are revealed in a job satisfaction survey in which council staff also say there is too much pressure in their job and that their employment is not secure.

Around two thirds of those that responded did not feel their work was understood or valued by councillors, while just over half felt pressured and unsecure in their job.

And while more than two thirds understand the council's objectives and priorities, more than a quarter found them unclear and are not sure how their job fits into them.

There are also some communication problems with almost 40 per cent saying formal communication channels are not efficient and nearly 40 per cent feeling that only a few directors and heads of services welcome their suggestions to improve the authority.

Support and guidance from managers is regarded as good, but over a third say morale at work is not good.

However there is good news for the council in that the majority of employees are satisfied with their jobs and all aspects of their working conditions, especially the flexibility of hours of work.

More than three quarters agree that they are given sufficient training.

The findings are revealed in an employee attitude survey that will be discussed by councillors at a Better Services Scrutiny Committee meeting on Wednesday.

It is the second time the council has surveyed staff. Forty eight per cent of staff responded, down from 52 per cent in the first survey two years ago.

The council says the response is good as such surveys normally get a response rate of around 25 to 30 per cent .

A Burnley council spokesman said: "We have taken on board all the comments from staff included in the survey.

"There is a great deal of value placed by councillors on the work of all staff and we are improving the way we communicate that work to members.

"This survey tells us we "could do better" and we are doing just that."

Coun Peter Kenyon, executive member for Resources on Burnley council said: " I was concerned when I read this particular element of the staff survey that some staff felt that councillors did not value their work. My own feeling is that this mainly arises from the fact that most members will be contacting staff most often with residents' complaints. Nevertheless, members do give praise where praise is due when considering reports to committee."

In January an internal survey at neighbouring Blackburn with Darwen council revealed more than half of managers claimed their job was causing them sleepless nights.

Sixty six per cent of full-time staff said stress was increasing, a third felt stress at work was affecting their personal life and 42per cent feared speaking out may affect their career prospects.