WEST Somerset District Council has been warned that it must agree a corporate plan to ensure it delivers its priorities.

The authority has also been told its current financial position is not sustainable.

The advice comes in a report by a team of local government experts who carried out a peer challenge review of the council ahead of a formal Comprehensive Performance Assessment to be undertaken by the Audit Commssion in May.

Although the team's findings were largely positive, they also contain some stark warnings, which the council must heed to ensure a good CPA review and the chance of additional Government funding.

On the plus side, the team concluded that the authority's extensive use of partnerships was probably its major strength.

It found staff to be flexible, committed and enthusiastic, with relationships between councillors and officers positive.

The council had a good understanding of the issues affecting West Somerset and in particular the importance of the economy to the prosperity and cohesion of the area, while also recognising the importance of the wider region to the area.