THE Leader of Burnley Council has revealed that the authority could unite with Pendle and Rossendale as the debate over regional assemblies hots up.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has already announced that three regions in the country -- the North West, North East and Humberside/Yorkshire -- could have regional assemblies within three years.

A review of existing country, district and borough councils in these areas will also be carried out, with the aim of one-tier local government.

In Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley it would mean new authorities being formed, probably with existing boroughs merging and Lancashire County Council being axed.

Gillian Taylor, Burnley Council's chief executive, said: "By September 8, we as an authority have been invited to come up with a view on our own or by liaising with other local authorities to come up with a set of proposals as to what does Burnley Borough Council think the most appropriate way forward would be."

Stuart Caddy, leader of Burnley Council, told the executive committee, that he met with other local authorities in Lancashire at the LGA Conference in Harrogate last week to discuss the issue.

He said: "We had informal discussions about the possibilities of Hyndburn linking with the Ribble Valley, Blackburn staying as a unitary authority but looking at smaller areas surrounding Blackburn such as Samlesbury but the had no mandate on that.

"Burnley is in a position to link with Pendle and Rossendale as a new authority."

He added: "One of my views was to set up a small working party to look at the review.

"As the authority is changing we have to bear in mind that we need to be strong on delivery, we need to have a structure that's acceptable and workable but Burnley can't do that on it's own, especially taking into consideration the current situation that we are in."

Councillors Stuart Caddy, Peter Kenyon and Pat Bennett will form the small working party.

Other political parties have been invited to work with the leadership scrutiny committee, which is to oversee the issue.

Coun Caddy added: "I have already invited other parties to get involved and some of them have already stated they don't want to get involved in a review, if they decide not to take that up then it's up to the individual party."

Final recommendations will be sent to the Secretary of State by May 25, 2004.