MEMBERS of the executive of Burnley Council hailed the 6.5 per cent rise in council tax a magnificent achievement for the authority.

Council leader Stuart Caddy said the rise followed a dificult budget period when the group met at Burnley Town Hall last night.

They agreed to recommend an increase which would mean a new band D payment of £192.08 to the council budget meeting next week.

When added to the charges imposed by Lancashire County Council and the Police Authority it makes a total band D payment of £1,122.52, a rise of 7.7 per cent.

Coun Caddy commented: "This has been a very difficult budget period but on our small budget we have made 7.5 per cent savings.

"We are making a recommendation of 6.5 increase which will mean people on band D pay an extra 24p a week, a magnificent achievement."

The executive also agreed a capital programme of £10,081,673.

Coun Peter Kenyon, member for best value and resources, referred to the budget process as a gruelling exercise and said he wanted to point out the big schemes in next year's capital programme.

He said: "Next year sees the start of of the major spend on SRB6 clearance and regeneration work in Burnley Wood and Accrington Road at a cost of £2.4 million.

"It gives the lie to the idea that this council spends all of its capital resources in any particular area.

"We are still carrying on spending capital on regeneration work in the Daneshouse ward which is only right as we gave a commitment to a ten year programme which has the most problems and most empty houses."

Coun Kenyon said the other "biggy" was the £1.2 million Padiham weir project to develop a sub regional canoe facility on the River Calder at Shuttleworth Mead and £2 million plans for a Burnley Technology Centre.

He added: "That will be a major contribution to Burnley's economy and generate the training of people for new high-tech jobs."

In the budget process the council found savings or new income of £1 million.

The executive approved an increase of fees and charges averaging six per cent.

There were variations including a 42.9 per cent increase in the charge for council tax summonses which is due to go up from £35 to £50 and increases of ten per cent in cemetery and cremation charges.