Our Vision
Our vision for Burnley is one of progress, ambition, and resilience. With a proud industrial heritage, world renowned engineering expertise, and a wealth of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, our borough is confidently moving into a sustainable future. Rooted in its rich heritage and the stunning Pennine landscape, Burnley is growing into a community united by ambition, driven by opportunity, and committed to environmental responsibility, ensuring a greener, thriving borough for generations to come.
Our vision is that residents will choose Burnley because it offers a range of quality, affordable, and aspirational homes, along with diverse, well-paid employment opportunities. Education and training have been central to this transformation. As a university town with an outstanding college, Burnley is dedicated to nurturing leaders and entrepreneurs, establishing itself as a vibrant post-industrial town known for its dynamic creative, cultural, and business identity – a place that attracts and retains young talent.
Alongside the vibrant Burnley town centre, our vision is that the historic market town of Padiham is known for its unique independent retail and leisure offerings. Revitalising our town centres is a priority, ensuring they are safe, welcoming, and thriving for everyone. Enhanced gateways will lead residents and visitors to the town’s beautifully restored and creatively repurposed heritage buildings. Burnley’s cherished parks, canals, and green spaces will continue to be focal points for community activities, sport, and leisure, strengthening Burnley’s identity as an Outdoor Town.
Our vision is that Burnley continues to leverage strong partnerships across the public, private, and third sectors. Together, we will create spaces, activities, and events that promote culture and celebrate our diverse but united communities. Through Burnley Together and the Burnley Bondholder partnerships, we are committed to a shared purpose and ambition that empowers residents and businesses.
Empowered by its people and enriched by its educational and cultural vitality, our vision is that Burnley is a place that residents are proud to call home – a borough that thrives on a shared vision, opportunities for all, and a commitment to success.
Our Values
Our core values, developed with our employees, reflect both our current state and our ambition and are also reflected in our behaviour framework of Together, Ambitious, Enterprising and Meeting Customer Needs.
Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan describes how the council will make the vision for the borough a reality.
You can read or download the full strategy in full at the bottom of this page. In summary, there are four strands to the strategy:
People
We might not be responsible for social care, education, or health services, but we will play our part to improve our residents’ life chances through access to skills, education, and interventions that make a difference to the wider determinants of health.
Place
We will use every lever to get good housing in great neighbourhoods close to public spaces that we are proud of.
Prosperity
We will create the right conditions for investment and businesses growth.
Performance
We will put the foundations in place for the council to achieve its wider ambitions for the borough: we will act according to our values; we will invest in our staff and in our systems; we will deliver core services to a good standard and have well-managed finances.
You can read or download the full strategy below: