A MEETING arranged by county council chiefs to argue the case for more money could end in officials being stood up - because of an ill-timed Government reshuffle rumoured for the same day.

Worcestershire County Council leader George Lord was due to head to London today for a meeting in which he will plead for a top-up in funding after branding its cash grant for 2006/07 "ridiculous."

He said day-to-day running of council services would be hit unless the Government gives it an extra £3.5m on top of the £69m grant it has for the year. The county chief has already said he intends to increase council tax five per cent this year as a result of a disappointing government grant. Chiefs have identified a deficit of £8.7m - and have made plans to withdraw £5m from savings to get through the next financial year.

The meeting could be affected by rumours of a cabinet reshuffle, meaning county leaders could face giving their 30-minute presentation to a minister new to the job.

Local government minister MP Jim Fitzpatrick had been pencilled in to hear the presentation but there are no guarantees he will remain in that position today.

Coun Adrian Hardman said: "Westminster is full of rumours of a reshuffle. Tony Blair has a space in the Cabinet since he moved John Hutton to Work and Pensions from the Duchy of Lancaster, and it would make sense to fill it now.

"I just hope this does not affect the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, leaving us with an empty room, or a new minister just hours into his office."

Coun George Lord will be joined by cabinet member for finance Coun Adrian Hardman, chief executive Rob Sykes, leader of the labour group Coun John Buckley and director of finance Mike Weaver.