Before (end of 1996) (44 seats, Elections Centre)
Labour 34 · Liberal Democrats 8 · Conservative 1 · Other 1
After (end of 1997) (44 seats, Elections Centre)
Labour 34 · Liberal Democrats 8 · Conservative 1 · Other 1
Ward results
Burnley Central East1 seat · turnout 63.6%
| M. Najib | Labour | 3,277 ✓ |
| G Birtwhistle | Liberal Democrats | 2,906 |
| K. Robinson | Conservative | 863 |
Burnley Central West1 seat · turnout 66.6%
| A. Martin | Labour | 4,021 ✓ |
| D Tierney | Conservative | 1,791 |
| M McHugh | Liberal Democrats | 1,430 |
| J. Swan | Green | 376 |
Burnley North East1 seat · turnout 67.3%
| T. Burns | Labour | 4,831 ✓ |
| F Brown | Conservative | 1,719 |
| D. Embra | Liberal Democrats | 1,570 |
Burnley South West1 seat · turnout 62.5%
| M. Roberts | Labour | 3,720 ✓ |
| L. Massey | Liberal Democrats | 1,593 |
| G. Mallett | Conservative | 915 |
Burnley West1 seat · turnout 68.3%
| Entwistle J. | Labour | 4,441 ✓ |
| P. Jones | Conservative | 2,148 |
| M. McCann | Liberal Democrats | 1,488 |