THE leader of Rossendale Council has admitted not enough has been done to improve services after a new report found just over 50 per cent of borough residents were satisfied with the council.

Coun Graham Pearson said although progress had been made in recovering from the council's tag as the worst in the country, there was still a long way to go.

His comments were echoed by the newly appointed chief executive Owen Williams.

The admissions were made as the council prepares to publish its latest Best Value Performance Plan for April 2003 to March 2004.

The plan sets out what the council hopes to achieve and targets that must be met in areas such as better housing, improving the environment, creating more jobs and improving council services like leisure.

The plan comes after the council was named as one of the worst performing district councils in the country in an Audit Commission report in September last year.

A follow up inspection earlier this year found that while significant progress had been made the council still faced a number of "critical issues".

A recent survey by the council found just 52 per cent of borough residents were happy with council services compared to an average of 62 per cent across the country and 75 per cent in the top performing councils.

In a foreward to the Best Value Plan, Coun Pearson said: "The council is moving in the right direction, but there is no escaping the fact that we still have much to do.

"Whilst we have made significant internal changes - such as recently recruiting a new chief executive and management team - it is clear we have not made enough progress on the key challenge of delivering improvements to the people and businesses of Rossendale."

Chief executive Owen Williams added: "While we are clearly moving in the right direction, the current level of performance is not acceptable.

"This level of performance needs to improve significantly."

One of the main targets is to reach a level of 80 per cent satisfaction with the council by 2008.

The council will face a Comprehensive Performance Assessment in September and October this year to gauge their performance and ability to improve.