TOWN Hall workers have a head start in the race for "fat cat" salaries for running the company which will take control of all Burnley's council houses.

Council bosses say wages of up to £60,000 for Burnley and Padiham Housing's chief executive, finance director and housing director will be paid by the company when it takes control early next year to attract the very best calibre of candidates.

But the move has sparked fury among some opposition councillors - not because of the size of salaries - but because the posts are available only to existing town hall workers.

Liberal Democrat leader Gordon Birtwistle described the decision as "a scandal and disgrace".

"How can they on the one hand say they are offering very high wages to get the very best executives and then put the posts on offer only to people who have had charge of municipal housing which has been run down over the years and is now in a horrendous state of disrepair.

"Apart from fat cat salaries, these people are also being offered new cars as part of the deal.

"How do I justify massive pay rises and new cars to my constituents living in broken and run-down council estate houses who are being told there is no money for repairs?" he asked.

Independent Coun Granville Lord of Padiham said he was staggered by the salary levels, adding the money should be spent on vital repairs.

The chief executive post is advertised at £54,000 to £60,000 plus benefits.

The director of finance and housing direct will each be in the £46,000 - £50,000 plus benefits pay bracket - well in excess of existing town hall housing staff.

A town hall spokesman said the posts could be advertised externally at a later date if no suitable internal applicants were found.

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