[Acrylic-bob]

That master of Hubris, Nigel Rix, the Director of Hyndburn First, the regeneration arm of Hyndburn Borough Council and the body charged with implementing "Project Phoenix". Stood up in front of the assembled Council last week and calmly delivered himself of the following announcement...

"On the basis of current cost estimates, taking into account inflation in house prices over the last twelve months, it is still likely the council will face a funding shortfall of approximately £500,000 towards the end of the next financial year"

So it seems that this Phoenix is doomed never to rise from the ashes. And was there even one word of criticism for Rix from our assembled Borough Councillors? What do you think!

There was criticism from the Chairman of the Residents Association, as you might expect. Who observed that millions of pounds of Government money had come into Hyndburn over the last three or four years and most of it has been spent on salaries or consultants. Rix's response: "Have you seen the Sure Start Centre? Have you looked at the Globe Centre which provided new jobs? About £1.5 million has been put into buying and knocking down homes, and that's not gone on salaries and consultants."

As I said, he is a master of Hubris. And as such, is incapable of admitting that he hasn't got a clue what he is doing, where this project is going or why he should resign.

It is up to the people of Hyndburn, whose lives and futures he is ruining, to enlighten him.