THE leader of Burnley Council has said creating good jobs for local people is her top priority.

Julie Cooper, who heads the Labour-run authority, said: “We at Burnley Council face the biggest funding cuts in the history of the borough.

“Our challenge is to protect frontline services and achieve a balanced budget.

“Alongside this, I am acutely aware that for many local people the current cost of living crisis is making life very difficult.

“While all this is going on many residents will have noticed the banners that are popping up all over town advertising the fact that Burnley is officially the most enterprising town in the UK.

“The desire to celebrate this award does not mean that we are oblivious to the practical problems.

“It does mean that we will fight to create a decent future for Burnley.

“The award is all about promoting Burnley as a town that is the best place to do business.

“We won the award because we are good at doing this.

“We are demonstrating over and over that Burnley is a town with a bright future and that is without mentioning the mighty Clarets.

“Creating good jobs for local people is my top priority.

“I know that when we create the right conditions for business and industry to thrive more, better jobs is the outcome.”