THE chief executive at a council branded the worst in the country has inquired about joining a group set up to promote good practice in local government.

Steven Hartley, who resigned from his position as head of Rossendale Council after the Audit Commission's draft report into the council labelled it 237 out of 237, emailed members of Rossendale Chartists.

But today he said he was no longer interested because the group failed to respond to his questions adequately.

Mr Hartley is currently serving his notice at the authority and will begin working for the newly formed Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust to establish private finance initiatives.

He said: "Given that I am leaving I thought I might well want to play a part in Valley life and I have approached different organisations and and asked them certain questions.

"I must say I found it very difficult to get answers from the Chartists."

Brenda Wilkinson, secretary of the group set up earlier this year to try to ensure fair and open local government, was surprised to receive the email enquiry.

In his email Mr Hartley said: "I am considering various possibilities and it occurs to me that if I was to join the Chartists I might be able to help to give it a sharper focus and a clearer strategy."

In her reply Mrs Wilkinson questioned Mr Hartley using the council work time and resources to make an inquiry of a personal nature.

She also says it is highly unusual for prospective members to ask such detailed questions.

But Mr Hartley said he had consulted colleagues about the use of council equipment and they confirmed that he was not in breach of council policy.

Mrs Wilkinson said Mr Hartley's inquiry and comments would be reported to the next meeting of theChartists, but she could not say whether he would be accepted as a member by the group.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson said: "I think Mr Hartley's time would be better spent preparing himself for his new job in the Primary Care Trust."