FREE town centre parking in all council-run car parks and extra dog wardens have been pledged by Labour as a new administration takes the reins in Burnley.
Plans to waive parking fees on 12 Saturdays per year, which have not yet been finalised, were first suggested by the party in opposition at this year’s borough council budget meeting.
And now, alongside the dog wardens and an increase to councillors’ ward opportunities fund, the move will soon be implemented, says new council leader Coun Julie Cooper.
The announcement was made as Coun Cooper unveiled her executive team at the annual council gathering at the town hall.
Her deputy will be Coun Andy Tatchell, who will also look after regeneration and economic development, and Coun Mark Townsend takes on resources.
Coun Howard Baker has the housing and environment portfolio, former mayor Coun John Harbour will have the leisure and culture brief and Coun Shah Hussain has been given the community services role.
Coun Cooper said: “Our priority will be to protect frontline services and jobs. I am determined that we will be a listening council and keep our promises.”
But she warned that the authority faced a tough two years as savings worth around £4million had to be made to budgets because of government cutbacks.
Coun Margaret Lishman, former deputy council leader, said the new ruling group had been left with the ‘highest level’ of reserves on record and an inward investment legacy of £20million.
Councillors agreed that the 32 per cent turnout at the polls in Burnley was a blow to local democracy though.
Share