A LONG-term vision to help improve life for people living in Burnley has been given the go-ahead.

The council's Community Plan, rubber stamped at last week's executive committee meeting, outlines Burnley's future over the next 20 years.

It also outlines priorities for the next five years.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that within the next 20 years no-one in the borough should be seriously disadvantaged by where they live.

The plan, produced by the Burnley Action Partnership, sets the scene for the medium and long-term action needed to raise the profile of the borough and to develop a vibrant and prosperous town.

It is linked to the findings of the Task Force report into 2001's Burnley riots, and sets out four key objectives -- to become a diverse and united community, to develop a modern economy, to make Burnley a healthy, safe and clean borough and to provide high quality "joined up" services to Burnley people. It outlines how it can be achieved.

The Burnley Action Partnership, formed earlier this year, brings together leading representatives from the community, public sector agencies like the police and health service, and business.

Group chairman is Brian Hobbs, a local businessman, and the two vice-chairmen are the leader of Burnley Council, Stuart Caddy, and community leader Shahid Malik.

Brian Hobbs, said: "The idea behind the plans is to get Burnley thinking strategically and to have an over-arching strategy for the town. It's about making sure that whatever we do fits into an overall view for the town."

The Community Plan sets out a vision that Burnley will be free from the effects of drug-related crime by 2021, an aim which is backed up in the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy with proposals to introduce improved drug treatment services in the town and step up prosecutions of drugs suppliers.

Other major proposals in the strategy include making links between colleges to improve stay-on rates and promote race relations.

House clearance schemes will continue with improved landscaping of cleared areas and re-organising street cleaning.

The introduction of an alcohol referral scheme is being looked at with increased provision for alcohol misusers.

The plan also outlines a need to develop a new health centre on the former Sainsbury's site, Yorkshire Street, and increase the number of dentists offering NHS treatment. Both plans will now go out to public consultation early next year.

They have been produced to meet Government requirements so the borough can access funding from Whitehall.

No costings have been produced for the scheme but the resources will come from council budgets and central government grants.

A fundamental review of the way money is spent by the council and other public services is expected to be carried out to see if it can be better spent.

Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "Both of these plans look at the types of things we need to address in order to move forward and make Burnley a better place to live. We need to regenerate and create more community spirit in the town."