SWINDON Borough Council could soon find itself being run directly by the Government.

That is the claim being made after an Audit Commission assessment found the authority's procedures wanting.

The council has now been told to implement 11 key recommendations or it could face action when a final report is published in December.

According to Conservative group leader Mike Bawden (Old Town, Lawns), the Government is on its way to using special powers to run all or part of Swindon Borough Council directly from Whitehall.

The preliminary version of the Government's Corporate Performance Assessment was released today.

It follows previous critical reports of both the education and social services departments.

Councillor Bawden said: "I believe we will have some form of special measures I think that is what comes out it.

The results of the assessment were due to be released a month ago but that was postponed after one of the Audit Commission inspectors fell ill suddenly and died.

The report is highly critical of the council and even orders councillors to cut out bad language during meetings.

The authority has been told to:

n Establish costed, achievable priorities

n Ensure the right resources go to the priorities and keep track of them

n Encourage the three party leaders to meet and find agreement on issues

n Ensure that the council officers responsible for Swindon's 30 year plan sort out how forward planning can best be organised.

Council leader Kevin Small said: "The outcome of the CPA report is disappointing but not surprising.

"We fully accept the report's findings and we will take all the actions necessary to correct these problems.

"I must stress that the report is not all negative.

"The inspectors found that the council has strengths, and we will build on these to improve the quality of life for people in Swindon."

The council has until early next month to respond to the report.

It will now produce a recovery plan addressing the individual concerns and recommendations raised.

Swindon Council has faced mounting criticism since the Education Department failed its Ofsted report last September.

This June the council received an equally critical Government assessment of social services.

In July the council's most senior officer, chief executive Paul Doherty, resigned.

And on August 5 council leader Sue Bates resigned after just three months in the post.