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Local authorities have been told they must form partnerships with health boards in Scotland or the executive will intervene.

Hugh Henry, depute minister for health and community care, told social work directors at the annual Association of Directors of Social Work conference in Dunblane that they had an important role to play in ensuring councils met their responsibilities under the "Joint Futures" agenda and worked effectively with health bodies.

"You have got to demonstrate that you are equally able to deliver," Henry said. "It is about asking what we are doing locally to ensure we are delivering our part of the bargain.

"We will not accept the status quo and we want to see results on Joint Futures. Failure is not an option and we will take action if necessary," he added.

He told delegates that health boards were being given the same firm instructions, but there were areas where either the local authority or the health board, or even both, were refusing to co-operate.

Henry, who was formerly leader of East Renfrewshire Council, said he had been frustrated when he was involved in local government by the reluctance of health boards to release funds for projects run jointly with local authorities.

But local authorities had to overcome their historical reticence and break down the barriers preventing the two sectors from delivering services together, he said. If they failed to do that, the executive would consider using its powers to intervene and force the process as a "last resort".

Henry sought to reassure directors that the Scottish executive was not considering the formation of new bodies, such as the care trusts in England. "When we say partnership we mean partnership. This is not about health taking over your responsibilities," he said.

Henry also warned local authorities not to spend money from the executive earmarked for community care on other services.

"We are starting to look at outcome agreements very carefully," he said. "This is about a political commitment for care in the community. We have to do our bit."