Devolution set to change Lancashire’s council landscape

The local government map of Lancashire looks set to be radically redrawn – but what it will look like and when the changes will come remain uncertain.

The government’s ‘devolution revolution’ also points the way to the county having at some time in the future an elected mayor.

Currently Lancashire has 15 local authorities and for the most part a ‘two-tier’ structure - with borough and city councils and the county council.

That system is set to end under the blueprint unveiled by the government and its expectation that areas operating the current structure will draw up proposals to “streamline” local government.

That would point to the end of the present arrangement in Lancashire, which sees service provision split between 12 borough and city councils and the county council, while Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen, operate as unitary authorities.

What the new unitary ‘strategic authorities’ replacing them will look like in terms of geography, and how many of them there will be, is not yet clear, with some of the current councils and local Labour MPs coming up with a number of suggestions in recent weeks.

Spelling out the government’s aims, the newly published white paper on devolution says: “There is clearly an appetite for reorganisation in parts of England, but previous governments have in the past often not been brave enough to follow through – we will get on with delivering what areas need.

“Strong councils are the building blocks for effective Combined Authorities and Combined County Authorities.

“We will facilitate a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas and for those unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries may be hindering their ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality services for their residents.

“Fewer politicians, with the right powers, will streamline local government to focus on delivering for residents. We will deliver this process as quickly as possible, including through legislation where it becomes necessary to ensure progress. Clear leadership locally will be met with an active partner nationally.”

It adds: “We will expect all two-tier areas and smaller or failing unitaries to develop proposals for reorganisation.

“We will take a phased approach to delivery, taking into account where reorganisation can unlock devolution, where areas are keen to proceed at pace or where it can help address wider failings.

“However, we are clear that reorganisation should not delay devolution and plans for both should be complementary.

“New unitary councils must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks.

“For most areas this will mean creating councils with a population of 500,000 or more, but there may be exceptions to ensure new structures make sense for an area, including for devolution, and decisions will be on a case-by-case basis.”

The government also wants directly elected mayors to create “visible leadership and greater accountability”, putting them “front and centre”.

The white paper says: “Mayors have become vital local leaders, delivering on the promise of change in their area to drive growth, more joined-up delivery, and earning trust.”

Lancashire’s current devolution deal does not include a mayor – a contentious issue in the past.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner gave a clear indication of the direction of travel as she unveiled the white paper.

She said: “Ultimately, our aim is mayoral devolution over areas of genuine strategic scale. And to create ‘strategic authorities’ as a new tier of local government to give our cities and regions a bigger voice.

“I understand that devolution is a journey. Some will need time to decide the course they wish to follow, and we will give local leaders time and space to do this. But our ambition is clear – we want to fill the map with devolution. 

“Our manifesto pledged to give everyone access to devolved power. So, I will legislate for a new power of ministerial directive - which will allow central government to knock heads together and create strategic authorities when local leaders cannot agree.” 

The government will also invite a number of places to join its ‘Devolution Priority Programme'.

They will be places that are able to come together “under sensible geographies which meet the criteria, and where they are ready to achieve mayoral devolution at pace.”

The programme will aim to deliver institutions and have mayors elected in the May 2026 elections. It is not known if Lancashire will be one of these places, with government announcements to follow.

Mayors will be given new powers over strategic planning and new call-in powers. The government will devolve future funding to support regeneration and housing delivery.

And it aims to consolidate adult skills funding, introducing joint ownership of the Local Skills Improvement Plan, and new routes to influence 16-19 provision. 

It will also devolve funding to support economically inactive people into work and create a statutory role for mayors in governing the rail network, with a right to request on rail devolution. 

• The government has announced that the new Lancashire Combined County Authority will receive powers to improve the integration of local transport and control of local transport functions and the ability to exercise compulsory purchase powers to help drive regeneration. It will also receive devolved adult skills funding from academic year 2026/2027.