DISTRICT councillors are expected to unanimously agree to an application for government help to get the failing authority back on track, at a special meeting tomorrow (Thursday).

The council is planning to apply for voluntary engagement with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, following a number of damning reports from the Audit Commission.

Voluntary engagement means a government appointed team will be drafted in, for an unspecified amount of time, to try and sort out problems within the council.

The full council has been summoned to a special meeting at the Council House in Burcot Lane.

Last Tuesday, council leader Dennis Norton (Con-St John's) said he was sure there would be unanimous cross party support for the scheme.

However, Labour leader Cllr Peter McDonald (Waseley) said although he is for the move, it has come too late.

"The council had the opportunity to apply for voluntary engagement over a year ago and stop the rot in its services and financial administration," he said.

"Instead, Bromsgrove residents have had to endure poor and failing services at the hands of an incompetent council controlled by an autocratic leadership," said Cllr McDonald.

He later added: "Bromsgrove District Council has been given every opportunity and assistance possible to improve its performance but has failed hopelessly to improve.

"The time has come to accept that the council is not capable of improving and we shall be calling for control of its services and finance to be taken over by the government at tomorrow's meeting."