Cabinet members to consider local government reorganisation

By Rob Kelly

13 Mar 2025

Lancashire County Council County Hall

Cabinet members will be asked to consider the wide range of views across Lancashire about local government reorganisation at a meeting next week. 

As part of the government's English Devolution White Paper, published in December, local authorities in so called 'two tier' areas, which have county and district councils, have been asked to submit initial views on creating 'unitary' councils for their areas. 

Unitary Councils provide the full range of council services such as bin collection, highways and education. 

In Lancashire this could mean the county council, the 12 district/borough councils and Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen councils would be dissolved and replaced. 

The government have said services to residents should not be affected by these changes. 

Government have asked for initial views to be shared by 21 March with final, detailed proposals submitted by 28 November 2025.   

The county council has agreed to work collaboratively with the Leaders and chief executives of all the county's local authorities to inform the initial response, recognising that there isn’t yet a consensus on the way forward and a single preferred model isn’t expected by government at this early stage. 

Members will be told that a wide range of responses are being considered across the county including unitary models ranging from one authority covering Lancashire, through to two, three, four, or five unitary council models. There are also views that oppose the principle of reorganisation. 

Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of the County Council, said: "We have always been committed to strong and sustainable local government for Lancashire.  

"Our focus is to ensure that any potential changes are in the best interest of the people of Lancashire.   

"Cabinet will be able to consider the initial response to government, and the wide range of views across the county, recognising that we are not being asked to identify a preferred option at this early stage. 

"In the meantime, we remain focused on delivering excellent services, implementing our new council plan and maximising the opportunities that new devolved powers for Lancashire through the Combined County Authority will bring." 

It comes after Lancashire Business View reported Lancashire's new combined county authority (CCA) is officially up and running.

The Statutory Instrument which enabled the formation of the new body passed through Parliament late last week and has now been formerly signed by Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

St Annes thrives with strongest August footfall in years St Annes Square footfall

St Annes thrives with strongest August footfall in years

26 Oct 2025

2

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action BAE Systems production

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action

23 Oct 2025

3

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West Nick Miles, National Cyber Force deputy director for Samlesbury

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West

23 Oct 2025

4

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund Foresight announces £90 million first close of its third dedicated North West regional investment fund

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund

23 Oct 2025

5

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win Warehouse Supervisor at Pets Choice Brad Eddleston and McMurrays Sales Manager Rob Spencer. Photo credit: McMurrays Haulage Limited

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win

21 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

The AI Lab: E-commerce
Ai Lab ecommerce (1).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

The AI Lab: E-commerce

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin