A BURNLEY councillor lashed out at town hall officers for producing figures for them to discuss - when the fees and charges had already been set in the budget for the next financial year.

Coun Harry Brooks also attacked price rises for being above the rate of inflation, describing them as "not a swindle, but a mild fraud on the public".

He told members of Burnley Council's recreation and leisure committee: "It is absolutely ludicrous. We have four lots of fees and charges for the next financial year; we are supposed to be discussing them, we are supposed to be agreeing them or otherwise, yet they are already in the budget."

The recreation and leisure committee met the day after the budget had been approved at the council's policy and resources committee. It still has to be ratified by the full council.

The officers were also berated by Coun Brooks for the increase in swimming charges. "The increases are well above the rate of inflation. It is indefensible. We get increases above inflation year on year, on year," he stated.

"There is one increase in the charge for adult swimming of nearly 8 per cent.

"Someone will come along and say it is swings and roundabouts; that particular charge is nearly four times the rate of inflation.

"There is too much rounding up - 10p here or 5p there. It is not a swindle but a mild fraud on the public which ought not to be tolerated."

Council officer Karen Bradford said: "It has taken a great deal of time and effort to produce these figures. We checked with other local authorities and found we were the cheapest.

"We are introducing a new swimming card - a six-months or 12-months pass for people who use the baths on a regular basis."

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