THE chief executive of a council branded as "the worst in the country" today spoke of his sorrow at the prospect of leaving.

A draft report into an Audit Commission investigation into Rossendale Council was highly critical of the way the council delivers its services despite being one of the highest spending authorities in England and Wales.

The report recommended a radical overhaul of the senior management in the council and a new management team to be in place by early 2003.

Chief executive for the past 20 years Steven Hartley was offered the position of project director working for the primary health care trusts in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley before the draft report was received by the council.

He has yet to accept the job offer and said: "If I do decide to go then I will be sad to leave the Valley.

"I live in Rossendale and I have no intentions of moving away.

"I would wish the council all the very best if I do decide to leave."

Mr Hartley has had to undergo a medical for the new role and said it could be a few days before he made his decision whether to hand in his notice.

If he takes up the new job he will be working with the Local Involvement Finance Trust and will be looking at ways of funding health care development, such as new health centres, across East Lancashire through private finance initiatives.

Council leader Coun Graham Pearson said: "Mr Hartley has been with the chief executive for 20 years and many more years with the authority.

"He had a torrid time over the last two years and he has stuck with it and the authority should be grateful he has done that.

"Mr Hartley is a nice man and a very affable chap and his loyalty has been to Rossendale.

"He could have looked to get out of the authority before this report was issued."

He reiterated that the Audit Commission report had to be a new start for Rossendale and that today, together with deputy leader Coun David Hancock, he was going round to the council's various departments to speak and reassure staff in light of the publicity the report has received.