Four council future for Lancashire

Lancashire will be split into four new council areas under local government reorganisation plans, according to reports.

The official announcement on the future shape of local government in the county is set to be made by the government later today.

Ahead of that announcement the BBC is reporting that the county’s existing 15 local authorities will be abolished and replaced by four unitary councils.

According to the BBC, the government is understood to have told MPs and Labour council leaders, and is meeting with other council leaders and chief executives later today.

It is believed that Preston, Lancaster and Ribble Valley will come together in the shake-up.

One of the new authorities will cover Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire, while Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre will be combined.

And in the east of the county, the new authority will bring Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Rossendale and Pendle together.

Lancashire County Council will be abolished, with the new authorities responsible for education, social care, highways, planning and housing.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is separate from the county’s devolution process.

However, the new unitary councils would become constituent members of the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA), which will continue to lead strategic initiatives in transport, innovation, trade, investment, skills, and adult education.

The government announced its intention to scrap the existing council map in December 2024.

All 15 councils were asked to suggest the make-up of the new system and after failing to agree five options were submitted to Whitehall ranging from two councils to five.

According to reports elections for ‘shadow’ local authorities will take place in May next year and these will run in tandem with the existing councils for 12 months before the old authorities are phased out.