A COUNCIL leader today said he had heard nothing to back up rumours the authority was about to be placed into administration.

A draft version of an Audit Commission report into the way Rossendale Council is run is due to be considered at a closed meeting of councillors next Wednesday.

It could then be a further two weeks before the report is made public but council leader Graham Pearson today advised people to wait and see rather than believing rumours.

The report follows a routine examination of council procedures and has not been prompted by any allegations about the way the council is run.

Coun Pearson said: "I have heard many rumours but as far as going into administration I don't know anything about that.

"I suppose that could be an ultimate sanction and I am sure there could be financial ramifications as a result of the report but until we receive it we do not know what it says.

"Once we get the draft report we will be checking it for accuracy, but obviously we will not be able to change any of the recommendations and then we will send it back before the final report is issued. We do not know exactly when we will be able to publish the report but as soon as we are able to we will.

"What I can say is that we are going to be positive about what is suggested and it is an opportunity for the council to go forward. We have to address the issues raised in the report."