Is Burnley Council Burying Daneshouse News?

In the best traditions of New Labour, is Burnley Council burying bad news to try keep it from an unsuspecting public in the run-up to the local elections?

Stephen Byers' spin doctor, Jo Moore, couldn't have done better herself in the way it appears additional funding for Daneshouse has been buried away under 'Other Targeted Areas.'

Burnley Council's Housing Needs and Strategy Unit has allocated to the Daneshouse and Stoneyholme Renewal Area, £16 million over the next five years. The rest of Burnley gets just £12.5 million, allocated under 'Other Targeted Areas'.

But out of this 'Other Targeted Areas', according to Burnley Council's 'Report to the Executive on Voluntary Sector Grants', it appears that Daneshouse and Stoneyholme CPR is to get further funding for the clearance of houses and environmental works.

So according to the council's own documentation, Daneshouse gets £16 million in its own right, as well as funds out of the rest of Burnley's meagre budget.

Burnley Bravepages wrote to the council officer in charge of this funding, Mr N. Grahame, asking for the following clarification.
"What is the sum total of these additional funds for Daneshouse and Stoneyholme CPA, and why wasn't this additional work itemised under Daneshouse?"

No reply was received, so we contacted Chief Executive, Gillian Taylor.

One week later, notification was received from Accounts Services Manager, Phil Moore, claiming that it was all a terrible mistake and that this additional funding for Daneshouse didn't exist and was a "typist's error".

Burnley Bravepages asked for this further information,
"With such sensitivity surrounding this issue, it beggars belief that a Town Hall typist could include further investment for Danehouse under 'Other Targeted Areas' when it wasn't meant to be there. Surely these most important of documents are proof-read before they are published?"

This query was sent on 21st March and now, two weeks on, we still have not received a reply.






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