ROSSENDALE Council still has a lot of work to do if it is to meet its autumn 2005 deadline for raising standards, local government minister Nick Raynsford said today.

The authority was branded one of the worst in the country in 2002. Since then, government staff have been working closely with officers in the borough to raise standards.

A meeting between Mr Raynsford, council leader Peter Steen, and officers, last month has resulted in him praising the council's efforts to date.

But he has warned there is still a lot to be done. He has now asked the council to focus their efforts on improving services, after only 27 per cent of residents said they were satisfied with the way the council was being run.

Financial management also needs to improve.