BURNLEY MP Peter Pike today urged Burnley Council to make sure any changes in senior management do not set the authority back.

His comments came after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed 11 senior managers' posts - including the recently created head of communications - could be axed by Burnley Council in a bid to streamline top jobs.

Some posts, including the head of regeneration and development and head of engineering services, could be axed while others could be created in a bid to improve the council's performance.

A recent review by external auditors highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the council, including the need for more consistent corporate working across the council, difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff and stretched staff and senior management resources.

Mr Pike said: "The council needs to make the best use of public funds and they need to carry out this type of review from time to time. But they need to make sure they get this right before any final decisions are made so they move forward rather than step back.

"Communications are crucial and the council has failed to get the message across on various issues, although there has been an improvement, so they need to ensure any change is a positive one."

Positions under threat are: director of administration, internal audit manager, benefits manager, local taxation manager, head of community and recreation services, head of communications, environmental health and cleansing manager, engineering services manager, head of regeneration and development, head of economic development and head of member and support services.

A union boss has already expressed concern over some of the proposed changes.

A consultation process is now under way with senior managers and union representatives, which will include one-to-one meetings with staff directly affected before a final decision in February.

A new unit, performance and communications, would incorporate the communications unit.

Council bosses have stressed that the restructuring will improve council performance, tackle weaknesses, give value for money and support the delivery of the council's strategic objectives.

Gerry Crookes was appointed head of a new communications unit in January after it was revealed the urgent Task Force recommendation had not been put in place nearly a year after it was suggested.

A council spokesman today reiterated the authority's initial response. He said: "Under the council's customer first ethos we realise we have too many service units which makes it harder to give integrated services to the public and people find themselves passed from pillar to post. The proposal is to reduce the number of units from 21 to 16.

"Because individual posts are identified as being at risk in the review the details have had to be kept private. The council has a duty to the staff affected not to publicise details of the review proposals. While some posts are being deleted, others are being created."