Burnley Council is considering changes to the way it charges council tax on long-term empty properties to encourage owners to bring them back into use.

A report to the council's executive, which meets on Tuesday (17th), recommends the premiums charged on long-term vacant houses - over and above the usual rate - should be increased as follows:

A man has been ordered to carry out 160 hours community service in relation to an incident in which barrels of a “paint-like” substance were dumped, blocking a country lane above Burnley.

Preston Crown Court heard that eight 45-gallon drums were fly-tipped in Mill Hill Lane, Hapton, leaving an estimated £43,000 clean-up and repair bill and killing more than 25 fish in a nearby stream.

David Lee Gordon (also known as David Lee Walsh), 28, of East Crescent, Accrington, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to the unauthorised disposal of waste.

Burnley Council has bought two electric bikes for its parks staff to use as part of its commitment to help protect the environment.

The e-bikes will be used to allow staff to travel from site to site as well as being able to access the local parks to carry out their general duties.

A company with properties in Padiham has become the latest to be recognised for its professional approach to looking after its houses and tenants.

A representative from Premier Property Management was presented with an accreditation certificate to mark its successful application to Burnley Council’s good landlord and agent scheme (GLAS).

Through property inspections and an audit of its management procedures, Premier, which is based in Barnoldswick, showed it has a professional approach and the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully manage private rented properties.

A series of additional electric vehicles charging points are set to be installed in Burnley borough.

Burnley Council and five other local authorities across Lancashire submitted a successful bid for Government funding that could see four rapid charging points installed in each area.

Potential sites on council-owned car parks have been identified and are currently being evaluated by Electricity North West.