HOPES that Bromsgrove District Council may emerge from the problems which have beset it for two years in time for next spring's local elections appear to be fading.

The target had been set by council chiefs. However, it now seems likely that the authority will not be in a position to sever the apron strings with the Government, which is oveseeing its recovery, until May 2008.

In 2004 the council realised that, as a result of poor management over many years, it was in serious trouble and asked for voluntary engagement. This meant the Government was asked to help get the district council back on track or it would face being run by civil servants from Whitehall.

An expensive purge of senior staff, including the chief executive, has been one part of the recovery programme.

A recently published report, following the council's annual audit and inspection, recognises that progress is being made. But it is also critical saying that overall service performance is below average.

"Much remains to be done before it (the council) can emerge from engagement," says the report.

The report also calls for better cross party working, a point taken up by Independent group leader Councillor Nick Psirides (Norton).

Remarking on the closer Tory-Labour working relationship, which has come about since Cllr Roger Hollingworth became council leader, he said: "The Tories have made great strides in working with Labour, but continue to marginalise and ignore us and offer us no positions of responsibility."

Cllr Hollingworth said that despite negative aspects in the report, government officials are pleased with Bromsgrove's progress to date adding that early expectations of coming out of engagement next May had been realistic, but the new target has been put in place by government officials.

"We are now told the council must undergo a performance assessment and achieve a two star rating before we come out of engagement and also compile a long term strategy that the government officials are happy we are capable of delivering," said Cllr Hollingworth.

Cllr Psirides has not been snubbed, he added. The chairmanship of a committee was on offer, but he withdrew his cooperation.