PENDLE Borough Council's development control service is fair and unlikely to improve - that's the verdict of an independent report released by the Audit Commission.

An inspection team gave the service, which deals with the area committee planning issues affecting the council's policies or finances, a one-star rating.

It said: "Users show a reasonably high level of satisfaction with it, however, a number of areas need further attention'.

It also highlighted a number of key strengths such as low costs compared with other local authorities, the openness and accessibility of the area committee system, staff availability and helpfulness.

Weaknesses included the development control's improvement plan not being ambitious enough and not saying how targets could be achieved.

There was an extremely limited development of staff, a doubt over the commitment of some councillors' need for further change and the speed of dealing with applications did not compare well with other districts across the country.

The inspection team also awarded the local land charge service provided by the council two stars and said it delivered "speedy, reliable, high quality services."

The services were inspected as part of the Government's best value initiative, which places a duty on all councils to deliver the most economic, efficient and effective services as possible.

Stephen Barnes, Pendle Council's chief executive, said: "A report addressing the recommendations of the Audit Commission will be considered by the Council's Executive on Thursday, October 18.

"At that meeting, we are confident that members will give their full support to the implementation of an improvement plan that has been produced as part of the service's best value review."