A TEAM of 'friendly' inspectors visited Pendle Council and highlighted strengths and weaknesses in the borough.

The inspectors from the Improvement and Development Agency inspected the council in advance of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment.

It identified that the council is ambitious but is facing many challenges.

In the report's key messages it said: "Everyone recognises that ambitions must become focused and you must set clear priorities - finish what you start and know what you need to do next.

"Management and political leadership must work in partnership to turn aspirations into realities - there is evidence that leadership finds it difficult to make decisions speedily."

In response to the inspection Coun David Whipp said: "There were more positives than there were negatives but we plan to work on what we have been told in time for the CPA."