FOLLOWING the recent news that Burnley will be losing at least one significant public amenity this year due to council cutbacks, it is important that these decisions are put into their historical context.

All the evidence shows that the Labour-dominated Lancashire and borough councils have an abysmal record in managing their financial affairs, meaning that the people of Burnley will suffer as a result.

Since 1996, householders in Burnley have had to stomach an average council tax increase of 7.64 per cent per year while services have continued to worsen.

During this period we have seen Lancashire County abolish the home help scheme for the elderly, class sizes in local secondary schools rise, then £100,000 per annum spent cleaning Burnley bus station toilets, more than £2 million squandered from the sale of the bus service and now, in 2001, the threat of closure of Gannow Baths and the Mechanics.

The same old excuses come out again and again as to why the council needs more money but still has to slash services.

So, in 2001, is it really surprising that they are threatening to close Gannow Baths and the Mechanics while again demanding above-inflation increases in council taxes?

Put simply, Burnley deserves better.

ROBERT FROST, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Burnley.