A RAINBOW coalition has taken charge of Burnley Council after ousting Labour's Mark Townsend.

Labour lost its slim majority at the last borough elections - but had made one effort to restore Cllr Townsend to the leadership.

But last night, at an extraordinary full council meeting, Cllr Charlie Briggs, who represents the Burnley and Padiham Independents, was chosen to lead the authority.

His party has teamed up with the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, UKIP and The Greens.

For Cllr Briggs it is second stint at the helm, having previously been in charge when he was a Lib Dem member.

He promised to work across party lines to bring money into the borough.

Cllr Briggs added: "I have been leader of the council before and achieved a great deal with the help of a lot of people and that's what I hope to do again.

"Burnley is in my heart and that's it really.

"I want to work with all groups to do the best for Burnley.

"I have been in to see the chief executive and we are starting to get everything together so we can move forward as a council."

Cllr Townsend said: "I congratulate Cllr Briggs on his election and wish him well and good luck.

"We leave the borough in good shape with its reputation high with partners, stakeholders and potential investors.

"For five years I have had the privilege and honour to lead this council.

"I have had challenging jobs but this has been the most difficult and yet the most rewarding of my life.

"I am proud that the administration I have lead didn't duck the big challenges or refrain from working towards our high ambition.

"We focussed on the big changes needed to transform the Borough and didn't shirk from facing up to the opposition from both inside and outside this chamber.

Labour was offered three seats on the executive but declined the proposition because they did not want to deal with the Tories and UKIP.

Cllr Maggie Lishman, a Lib Dem, has been installed as Cllr Briggs’ deputy and executive member for resources and performance management, and former Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle (economy and growth) and veteran Conservative councillor Cosima Towneley (community and environmental services) are also on the executive.

Cllr Ivor Emo rounds off the executive and will take up the housing and leisure portfolio.

Cllr Lishman said: "I am looking forward to my role in the new leadership of Burnley Council in a job I have done before.

"I am sorry that the Labour party has refused to participate in the new administration, which would have reflected the composition of the whole council and respected the decisions of voters in the local elections.

"We face difficult challenges in the light of continued funding cuts from central government, but we are setting clear objectives for the benefit of everyone in Burnley, Padiham and the surrounding villages."

And Cllr Birtwistle added: "I have campaigned and fought for jobs and businesses in Burnley throughout my political life in the borough, as a councillor, as leader of the council and as our MP.

"I am looking forward to my role in building the economy of Burnley and bringing more jobs and investment into the town."