This leaves them on 18 with 23 needed to former a majority administration. A major blow was the loss of deputy leader Lian Pate in Brunshaw ward who was the leading candidate to take over the Labour group leadership when current party and council boss Cllr Mark Townsend stands down to become Mayor of the borough later this month. Labour also lost Gawthorpe ward to the Conservatives, Trinity ward to the Greens and Coal Clough and Deerplay to the Liberal Democrats. It was a good election for the Green Party as their representation on the council rose from two to five with wins in Brunshaw for Andy Wight, Scott Cunliffe in Cliviger with Worsthorne, and Martin Hurt in Trinity ward.
Currently Cllr Mark Townsend leads a minority Labour administration with 22 councillors. Ranged up against it are eight Liberal Democrats, six Conservatives, six Burnley and Padiham Independent Party councillors, two Greens and one Independent. With 15 wards up for election and 61 candidates from seven parties standing the campaign is turning out to be a real dogfight. Labour needs just one gain to form a majority able to implement its priorities of jobs and pandemic recovery but will really struggle to achieve this - and even hold on to the eight wards it is defending. The Liberal Democrats are confident of regaining the Coal Clough with Deerplay seat which went Labour when retiring councillor Bill Brindle defected and are eyeing an unlikely victory in Daneshouse and Stoneyholme.
Burnley political dogfight as divided borough goes to the polls thisislancashire.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thisislancashire.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of a woman who had a ‘heart of gold . Cliviger Parish councillor Paula Riley lived for her family and was described as a ‘larger than life’ character who ‘made friends everywhere she went’. The 70-year-old, married to Keith, lived in Cliviger and was born and bred in Burnley. She was well-known as volunteer in the community who helped to feed the homeless and her daughter Abbygail Thomas said ‘Burnley will be lost without her.’ The 44-year-old added: “We have been so touched by how many people’s lives she made an impact on over the years.
Worsthorne village housing scheme approved again | Lancashire Telegraph lancashiretelegraph.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lancashiretelegraph.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.