PENDLE Council's social welfare advice service has been described as fair but with poor prospects of improving, according to a report by the Audit Commission.

The service is partly funded by the authority and provided through five local agencies.

A team of inspectors awarded it one star out of a possible three.

Joanna Webb, senior inspector for the Northern Region of the Audit Commission, said: "Pendle Council needs to develop a vision of what it wants from these services and ensure that the improvements it has planned will result in real benefits for local people.

"Instead of just sticking to the way things have been done in the past, the council should find out what is needed locally, then try and provide it."

The inspection report highlighted a number of strengths. It said the use of volunteers in many of the agencies increased the number of people who can be seen, at no extra cost to the council. The agencies also have other sources of funding, which means that a more extensive service can be provided.

The report found advice centres were distributed across the district though services in the rural areas were limited. The limited evidence available indicated that the advice given was generally good.

However, inspectors found more weaknesses than strengths.

The report said: "There are no agreements between the council and each agency setting out what work is to be done, what quality standards apply or how performance is to be measured and monitored. Agencies are funded on a historical basis, not on a sound analysis of local needs. Some sections of society are less well provided for, notably Asian women.

"The use of IT to facilitate and support these services is very mixed with very poor facilities on the council's website and none at all at one agency."

Inspectors made a number of recommendations, including:

Make sure an appropriate senior member of staff was given overall responsibility for the service and make sure funding is provided according the needs of local people.

Clearly set out what services are to be provided by each agency, including the range and type of enquiries to be handled, opening hours and quality standards. These should then form the basis of a contract with each agency.

Help the agencies to improve access to services by extending the hours, ensuring disabled access, improving access to multi-lingual advisers (especially women), and by reaching more rural areas.