COUNCIL chiefs at an authority branded the worst in the country could have staved off the threat of a government take-over following crunch talks in the capital.

Rossendale Council's Labour leader Coun Graham Pearson, his deputy Coun David Hancock and Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson had a meeting with Minister Nick Raynsford in London to put forward the council's response to the Audit Commission's recommendations.

Inspectors found the council to be bottom of a list of 237 local authorities in the way it ran its services and managed its affairs.

They also called for extra funding to help cope with the financial implications of implementing the recommendations made in a scathing report, including appointing a new senior management team -- but no guarantee of funding was given.

Speaking from London, Coun Pearson said: "We got the impression the Minister was pleased with our response and the fact we accepted the report and welcomed it, which has not been the case with other authorities who found themselves in the same position.

"Also we have been given some advice about what we should submit to the Audit Commission and he has put us in touch with an advisor from the Government's modernisation team. We sought the meeting to reaffirm our seriousness about keeping Rossendale local. We didn't want to lose control."

Mr Raynsford said: "The Government's top priority is that the people of Rossendale receive the quality of service they have the right to expect."

The ruling Labour group's response to the Audit Commission draft report has now been adopted by the council with only one councillor, Conservative Jeff Cheetham, voting against it.

The report outlines re-allocation of finance to meet the cost of the action plan and a programme of asset disposal which could release up to £1m.

About 30 members of the public attended the special council meeting at the town hall in Rawtenstall, expecting to hear what facilities Rossendale Council might close to achieve the funding, but were bewildered when there was no discussion.

After the meeting Coun Hancock said: "I am really sorry for anyone who came along thinking discussions on closures would be heard. We had to respond to the issues raised in the report and there will be full consultation about decisions we have to make."

The council plans an interim team of advisors to develop an action plan on the report. It will be appointed and overseen by a temporary head of paid service who will replace recently resigned chief executive Steven Hartley.