A Question Time-style debate took place tonight featuring key Burnley decision makers - and the Lancashire Telegraph provided live updates.
The format of the Burnley: Your Questions, Please event, at the new Burnley College building on Princess Way, was based on the 'Question Time' television programme.
The panel
- Burnley Borough Council leader Charlie Briggs
- Lancashire County Council leader Geoff Driver
- Chief Superintendent Clive Tattum, in charge of policing in Burnley
- Dr Sohail Bhatti, director of public health
- Karen Ainsworth, from mediation service SMILE
Live updates
Reporter Tyrone Marshall postied live updates from the debate.
Here are his updates:
* Live updates from Question Time debate, inc. leaders of Burnley & Lancs councils, from 6.30pm.
* Introductions being made. Set to last an hour and a half.
* First question from a resident asking when police and council will get tough on anti-social behaviour.
* Borough council leader Charlie Briggs defends council record but says "pockets of Burnley" have problems.
* Ch Supt Clive Tattum says policing "starts and ends with neighbourhood police".
* Panel being quizzed on sentences for criminals.
* Praise in the audience for the community payback scheme, helping to install a disabled lift and cleaning up graveyard.
* Road safety the hot topic. More questions submitted about road safety than any other issue.
* Member of audience says standards of driving in Burnley is "appalling".
* County Coun Geoff Driver being questioned on huge cuts to youth services in the county.
* He accepts youth services "taken a big hit" in budget cuts.
* Strong defence of what being done to drag Burnley into 21st century from all of panel.
* Coun Briggs says key is bringing new firms to the town and getting Burnley Bridge and Weavers Triangle developed.
* Question on loss of services at Burnley General Hospital gets a good response from audience. Big issue for people.
* Final question asks panel for one wish for Burnley. Geoff Driver wishes for Premiership football to return.
* William Smith, year 10 student at Sir John Thursby, wishes for greater integration between cultures.
*That ends the first Burnley Question Time event. Organisers promise more in future.
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