Birmingham's new council leader John Clancy has promised to pick up the pace of change at Europe's largest local authority - despite positive comments from the Government.
Labour leader Coun Clancy was responding to an interview Local Government Secretary Greg Clark gave the Birmingham Post in which he said the city council was "making progress on all fronts".
The Government is keeping a close eye on Birmingham following last year's damning Kerslake report which found deep-seated cultural, management and governance problems there.
It is less than two weeks since Coun Clancy took over as council leader and his priority is to ensure the Government lifts its threat to send in commissioners to run the authority.
Coun Clancy said he welcomed Mr Clark's comments, but warned: "There is still a lot of hard work to be done to show we're back on track and I'm determined to up the pace of change.
"One of my first tasks as leader has been to convince government that we can step up the pace to deliver the changes set out in the Kerslake review."
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He said he gave assurances during a recent meeting with Mr Clark and Lord Heseltine.
"Let's face it, we're under the spotlight like never before here in Birmingham and we have to show that we understand, and indeed, embrace the need for change," he added.
"The Kerslake review was a wake-up call and, while progress has undoubtedly been made in the last 12 months, there is still a lot of hard work to be done to satisfy the Birmingham Independent Improvement Panel."
Coun Clancy is due to appear before the Government-appointed panel on Monday.
He needs to convince them the council is making significant progress in delivering on recommendations in last year's Kerslake report.
The panel will send its report to Mr Clark early in the new year after which the cabinet minister will decide whether more action is needed to pull the city council into shape.
The Birmingham Independent Improvement Panel meeting runs from noon to 2pm and will be webcast live on the city council's website.
