SOME town hall workers are too embarrassed to publicly admit that they work for the council!

That's just one of the many findings of a top level report into the workings of the local authority.

A special panel made up of local government experts has issued its findings following an extensive week-long examination of the way the city council is run.

And they have called on the authority to draw a line under the past, learn from its mistakes and move forward.

A number of strengths were highlighted, such as good basic services, staff commitment and pride in the area. But other eye-openers in the report included concerns about probity, a blame culture, a climate of fear and suspicion and a very poor public image.

The Local Government Improvement Programme was led by Shropshire Chief Executive, Nigel Pursey, and the panel interviewed a whole host of people from political leaders, to frontline staff, the business community and trades unions.

Setting out the challenges the report says: "Some aspects of the current culture - blame, a lack of openness and accountability, low levels of trust between senior officers and members - are having an adverse impact on the council's morale and reputation. This urgently needs to change."

It also calls for a forward-looking council which operates in a climate of trust and openness, with greater accountability, better communication and a standards committee with an external chairman.