[11] In 2007 a proposal to merge Burnley with neighbouring Pendle Borough Council to form a larger unitary authority was rejected by the government.

The leaders since 2006 have been:[21] Following the 2023 UK local elections the Labour Party ran a minority administration in Burnley council, having 21 seats and 2 short of a majority.

[25] Following the 2024 United Kingdom local elections, the Alliance fell one short of a majority, with only 22 councillors.

This includes the catchment of the River Brun, which meets the Calder in Burnley town centre, but not that of Pendle Water.

After passing through Burnley, the Calder turns around Ighten Hill forming part of the northern boundary and exits the borough at the west once it has flowed through Padiham.

The River Irwell and its feeder Whitewell Brook both have their sources on Deerplay Moor in Cliviger.

Hameldon Hill (409 metres (1,342 ft)) stands in the southwest corner, forming part of the boundary with Hyndburn.

It is considered to start/end at the Weavers' Triangle Visitor Centre at Burnley Wharf on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The largest employment sectors were manufacturing 29.3%, wholesale and retail trade including motor vehicle repairs 18.2%, and health and social work 12.9%.

[44] A 2010 report commissioned by the BBC and compiled by Experian ranked the borough as having the second lowest property prices in England, this combined with GCSE results and crime rates, led to the borough being ranked as the worst place in England.

The largest employment sectors continued to be manufacturing 17.9%, wholesale and retail trade including motor vehicle repairs 16.7%, and health and social work 15.7%.

Although the largest employers continued to be in the same sectors, the mix had changed to wholesale and retail trade including motor vehicle repairs 19.6%, health and social work 17.2% and manufacturing 14.4%.

Burnham Gate Trading Estate was the site of Duckett's earthen sanitary ware works.

[51] Elm Street and Gannow Business Parks along with Healeywood Industrial Estate all incorporate converted Victorian cotton mill buildings.

Re-branded as Calico Homes in 2004, a nod to the cotton fabric historically so important to the area's economic success, the housing association has since grown and diversified into construction, support and training.

The council is still able nominate tenants, prioritised by need, to Calico and the other associations that provide accommodation in the borough.

[55] The council adopted a new planning framework in July 2018, which sets out the overall development strategy for the district up to 2032.

[57] Queen Street Mill Textile Museum is owned and operated by Lancashire County Council.

[58] Since cost-cutting measures saw a temporary closure of the site, a transfer to another operator, possibly the National Trust, is reportedly being investigated.

[59] Gawthorpe Hall on the edge of Padiham is owned by the National Trust but managed by the county council.

In addition it is also responsible for the maintenance of over 500 hectares (1,200 acres) of public woodlands and informal open spaces including: Byerden Holme Linear Park in Stoneyholme; Cemetery Wood near Rosegrove; Healey Heights in Rosehill; Rowley Lake and woodland in Brunshaw.

Overseen by a board of trustees made up of local community members, the trust works in partnership with the council to deliver cultural services, leisure facilities, sport and play development, and promotion of healthy lifestyles.

There are currently 2 household waste recycling centres run by Lancashire County Council in the borough.