CONTROVERSY still rages as Blackpool social services chief continues to work for a firm that rates care homes.

Steve Pullan's dual role was approved by the council last week despite concerns about a possible conflict of interests.

Proposals by Conservative councillor Don Clapham to reconsider Mr Pullan's role as a director of a fee-charging company, and to review the whole star rating system were rejected at a turbulent meeting of the council on August 29 when calls for Mr Pullan's resignation were heard.

Blackpool First Alliance called for his resignation over his role in the scheme, run by Brighton-based RDB Star Ratings Ltd.

A spokesman for the Alliance said: "It was obvious from the outset that there was the likelihood of a conflict of interests arising."

And he compared Blackpool with Brighton. He said Blackpool Council's care home website is restricted to advertising homes in the RDB scheme, but Brighton and Hove Council's website included all care homes in their area, not just those rated by RDB Ltd. It also included a disclaimer stating the council did not endorse or have responsibility for homes rated by RDB.

Coun Clapham said he was not surprised the ruling Labour group had voted to keep the status quo. "Public reaction that I've had suggests the Labour group are mistaken. There's a perceived conflict of interests," he said.

But Coun Clapham said that he was not backing calls for Mr Pullan's resignation. "I've never asked for him to resign. I would be quite satisfied that he just stuck with the role he is paid to do at the borough," he said.

Lancaster and Wyre MP Hilton Dawson has also expressed concern. In July he wrote to health minister Jacqui Smith to about the propriety of Mr Pullan's two roles after being contacted by a constituent.

The Labour MP was unavailable for comment this week.

Deputy Labour leader Coun Eddie Collett said that he believed the council had made the right decision about Mr Pullan's roles. "There isn't a conflict of interests. It's as simple as that," he said, and added that he had had no complaints or negative feedback from people -- including care home owners -- in his ward.

Mr Pullan was unavailable for comment.