ACCOUNTS showing bar/catering losses of £500 a week at Burnley Mechanics have been sent to all members of Burnley Council by Independent Harry Brooks.

It follows a decision by the Policy and Resources Committee not to circulate the April-September financial results before the next meeting of the Contract Services Sub-committee.

Coun Brooks said the Labour Group's decision was motivated by a wish to postpone for as long as possible public discussion of what he described as 'the inept and totally unacceptable performance of the council.'

He added: "Since I am not prepared to put up with that kind of cheap political manoeuvre, and since I intend to speak on this matter at council meeting, I am now enclosing a copy of the financial results with this note (except to those members of the Contract Services Sub-committee who have already received them).'' Coun Brooks said the Bar/Catering DSO had already been the subject of an official warning to the council from the Secretary of State for the Environment.

In his letter to councillors, he said: "We are losing money because we offer catering of poor quality, with service often third-rate, at prices which represent very poor value.

"Unless there is a dramatic improvement it would be better for the council to give in gracefully and pass the responsibility to an external contractor with the management expertise to run a successful operation.''

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