COUNCIL bosses met councillors last night to justify a decision to employ a new director less than three months after making 20 staff redundant.

Leader of Burnley Council Stuart Caddy and chief executive Gillian Taylor answered questions by members of the best value and scrutiny committee.

The meeting was arranged after senior town hall officers announced they wanted to spend £114,500 hiring two new directors over a nine-month period.

Bosses want to take on a director to oversee the Pathfinder regeneration programme and another leadership director to support Burnley's senior councillors.

The move upset employees who asked the public service union Unisonto step in.

Peter Thorne, representative of the union, wrote to the authority to say they did not see the need for a new project director and added lower paid staff were offended by the move.

At the meeting, Coun Caddy explained: "The post in itself is one that implements a leadership programme within the council.

"We are preparing for the Comprehensive Performance Review which starts on September 29.

"It is very important that we get it right.

"This individual will be a champion for members, a champion for each and every one of us.

"It's a very important 12 months for this council.

"I know this council is a good council but we have the potential for getting a weak marking that will have a devastating effect on this borough.

"We have some weak areas and this post will pick us up and lead us in the right direction."

Gillian Taylor said the individual would be recruited internally to speed up the process.