COUNCIL bosses have come under fire after the cost of a new information centre spiralled more than half a million pounds over budget.

The original estimate for the Burnley one-stop shop was £240,000 but the projected spend has rocketed to almost £800,000. The overspend is believed to have been caused by discrepancies in the pricing estimates, made eight months ago when the scheme was agreed, and the actual cost of delivering the project.

Costs which have pushed the budget up include an unforeseen £350,000 for making the first floor of the Parker Lane building safe so other council staff not connected to the one-stop shop could move in.

Other costs include £15,000 for an electronic information display screen and 16 plastic chairs for the centre's waiting room which will cost £216 each.

The overspend has horrified councillors who said they agreed to the project when the estimated cost was three times lower than it is now.

Coun Gordon Birtwistle, the Liberal Democrat leader on Burnley Council, said: "The cost of this scheme is becoming absolutely extortionate.

"From a very reasonable original cost of eight months ago, we are now facing a huge overspend on the project. It is completely unacceptable.

"I find it hard to believe that the cost has risen so much and it is staggering that so much is being spent on things like plastic chairs at £216 a time.

"When this project was agreed it was affordable but it has just become more and more expensive."

The new contact centre and one-stop shop in the town, to be called Contact Burnley, will offer advice and information on council services under one roof.

The information centre is due to open in the former Abbey National building in the spring. Initially, it will open from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, but opening hours could be extended to Saturdays.

The possibility of operating a satellite centre in Padiham is also on the cards.

Mick Cartledge, director of community services, said: "The key source of funding for the new centre is through a Government grant for implementing electronic government.

"The increase in costs has been primarily funded by an increase in the Government grant and an amount already earmarked within the council's budget for access improvements.

"The new service will be launched in May 2005 and will create a major improvement in how the council responds to queries and requests for services.

"The centre will incorporate meet-and-greet facilities, customer adviser workstations, private interview rooms, cashiering stations, waiting areas and best-practice facilities for meeting the needs of disabled customers."

Coun Peter Kenyon, executive member for best value and resources, said: "The original costings were estimates based on other similar projects and they were only firmed up once we got a firm on board to complete the project.

"Much of the cost is taken up by other departments moving on to the first floor of the building."

Earlier this year a similar project in Nelson spiralled to £283,000 over budget.

A report into the circumstances surrounding the purchase and renovation of a shop in the town centre found that building costs rocketed past Lancashire County Council estimates.