THE leader of Burnley Council has been grilled over the roles of two important community groups.

Stuart Caddy was called before a meeting of a council scrutiny committee to answer questions about the functions of the Burnley Community Network and the Community Alliance.

The Alliance was formed in 1999 to make sure residents in Burnley have a say in how development and regeneration work in the town was carried out.

It is funded through the government's Single Regeneration Budget and oversees a budget of £20 million which is to be spent over seven years in the town's most deprived wards.

The Burnley Community Network was set up by the government as a partnership to bring together existing voluntary, faith and community groups to ensure they are working in harmony and has its own development officer.

The Alliance employs two full-time workers, five directors, an elected chairman and a deputy.

But confusion over the roles of the two groups led to the Burnley Wood Community Group, Healey Wood Residents' Association and the Caring Accrington Road Residents pulling out of the Community Alliance.

Last year a report compiled for members of Burnley Council highlighted "tensions" between the Community Network, the Community Alliance and other community groups.

Councillors on the external relations and communications committee raised concerns about the issue and asked Town Hall officers to resolve the differences.

Coun Caddy was called before the same committee to outline his understanding of the two groups.

He said: "I am hoping that everyone pulls to together and that we have everyone drawing in the same direction.

"I am satisfied with the way the groups are working. Things should be a lot better now and that is what I told the committee."