COUNTY Council leader Louise Ellman has accused Blackburn Council of making false allegations in a row over co-operation.

Coun Ellman today denied claims from Blackburn that the county was 'refusing all contact' in the run-up to the transfer of services when the borough becomes unitary.

"It is curious for Blackburn to make false claims that no contact is being allowed, when Blackburn Council officers had already submitted detailed requests which are being acted on," said Coun Ellman.

"County Council officers were already dealing with requests from Blackburn Council to gather and supply detailed information in preparation for a top-level meeting on August 28, when Blackburn Council claimed that 'all contact was refused.'

"In a letter to Blackburn Council leader Malcolm Doherty, on July 29, I suggested that Blackburn should make further contact with the county council's deputy clerk Max Winterbottom, in the absence of the chief executive, who is on holiday, if the existing arrangements were insufficient."

Coun Ellman added: "The breaking up of Lancashire County Council has serious implications for jobs, council tax bills and services for people throughout the county. It is a Hyndburn, Burnley and Rossendale issue as much as a Blackburn one.

"It is vital that a top-level meeting is held to set policy guidelines and equally important that careful preparations for that meeting are made. That is being done. Specifically, requests already made by Blackburn Council officers are being acted upon.

"If Blackburn Council wishes to expand its request, I hope they follow the suggestion I have already made to them and approach Max Winterbottom, the deputy clerk."

But the chairman of Blackburn Council local government reorganisation committee Coun Gail Barton insisted: "We have requested information and have received no information back.

"There is no reason why officers could not have been getting on with work together before the meeting at the end of the month.

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