REGENERATION bosses aim to create 280 jobs and relocate 20 businesses to give a new boost to Burnley over the next 12 months.

The official council Best Value performance plan also aims to help tackle crime by reducing burglaries by 10 per cent by March 2002 and slash the number of unfit private houses in Burnley by 10 per cent over the next four years.

The high number of vacant properties have also been targeted for action, with council chiefs hoping to cut the total by 20 per cent over he next four years.

In its policy statement, the council says it recognises its responsibilities to wrestle with the challenges and exploit opportunities.

"The council's role is not to deal with all the issues on its own but to adopt the role of democratically elected community leader, able to bring together or work with the wide range of other public sector organisations and agencies, the very active voluntary and community sector plus business and commerce."

The council statement adds that this year it sees its priorities as:

The creation of more, better paid jobs, reducing crime and disorder and improving housing.

Creating a cleaner and greener environment, tackling disadvantage and listening to what the public has to say are also on top of the performance agenda.