THE leader of Burnley Council today said he accepted the criticism of local government in Burnley contained in the Task Force report.

During its investigation into the causes of the riots in Burnley in June, the Task Force sought comments from elected members, members of staff and the council itself.

It was also presented with written representations from the political parties who make up the council.

The report criticised the council for what it called a "lack of overall strategic political vision" and commented there appeared to be "no overall political leadership in the town."

It said that poor quality debate between members at full meetings, which were focusing on parochial issues, were deflecting from the direction the borough should be taking as a whole.

It also said that 'Maverick' councillors had a disproportionate influence and that the image of the council was "very poor."

And it blamed the council's poor communication over the level of grants to Asian communities for helping to spread rumours about those areas getting more than their fair share of cash.

It added that the council needed to demonstrate greater political leadership to show what it stood for and its aspirations for the borough.

The report said the council was too tolerant of a poor quality environment and that it needed to do more to foster civic pride and that what is needed is "a strong ethos it currently does not have."

The council was also said to be overstretched, which the Task Force said, leads to a situation where insufficient time is available for serious strategic consideration of borough-wide issues.

Speaking after the launch of the report leader if the council, Stuart Caddy said: "I, as anybody knows, will take any constructive criticism.

"Some have said that we don't have a strategy, that we discuss parochial issues and that we don't have good debate and we accept that.

"Nobody likes to be criticised, but I believe in particular over this past six months we have been listening to the people of Burnley.

"We will respond to the recommendations as a council wholeheartedly and not just try to look at any political parties.

"I believe that councillors work hard hard and represent their wards to the best of their abilities and that will carry on.