ROSSENDALE Council's "failing" planning department could be taken over in part by an outside agency to clear a major application backlog, it has been revealed.

That is just one suggestion councillors will look at when they meet to look at plans for improving the service.

The development control service recently missed out on funding worth £200,000 and has been criticised in recent weeks by major developers the Hurstwood Group for the way the council handled plans to regenerate Rawtenstall town centre.

A report is due to go to tonight's executive committee to alert members to the concerns raised about the performance of the service while making recommendations for improving it.

Colin Walker, head of economic regeneration and spatial development, said: "While certain core elements of the service perform well, there are a number of recurrent areas where the service is either under performing or failing."

The council missed an opportunity to scoop £200,000 as it failed to meet national targets.

Mr Walker said the department dealt with over 800 planning applications a year and was operating with a limited number of qualified staff.

He added: "A further problem exists in that a backlog of major applications has built up. Of the 21 major applications current at the end of July 2005, only three remain within the statutory 13 week period for determination. Two applications date back to 1996 and 1997."

To improve the situation a number of suggestions have been put forward to the executive committee including introducing new working practices that would involve recruiting a new manager; buying in temporary staff; using consultancy resources; arranging a partnership with Blackburn and Darwen Council and Lancashire County Developments Ltd to provide Rossendale with assistance or a complete transfer of the service to an external provider agency such as Capita Symonds, used by Salford City Council.

Mr Walker said: "The most appropriate way forward in the short timescale available to resolve the problems appears to be to move in a phased way towards the engagement of external assistance.

"Arrangement with Capita Symonds is currently being negotiated, whereby their staff will process all outstanding major applications to determination stage."

The move would be likely to see all new major applications being dealt with externally leaving council staff free to process the remaining minor applications as well as answer the telephone and written inquiries within appropriate timescales.

Executive members will make a decision on the development control services' future tonight at Whitworth Community High School from 6.30pm.