“There are important questions around affordability, delivery and the ability to make such extensive changes within the proposed timescales.
“However, the government has now made its decision and we alongside our fellow councils must deal with the reality in front of us.”
Leaders in the east of the county have publicly registered their unhappiness with an outcome that will see their areas brought together, with the exclusion of Ribble Valley from the new area proving a particularly contentious subject.
Burnley’s leader Afrasiab Anwar, an independent councillor, said an east Lancashire authority without the Ribble Valley ‘would be unsustainable’. And Pendle’s leader Asjad Mahmood, also an independent, said ‘it was not the decision we were hoping for’.
Blackburn with Darwen leader Phil Riley is in agreement over the omission of Ribble Valley, telling local media that while the council is a keen supporter of the process of LGR, it is ‘disappointed’ by the government’s decision.
That’s not the opinion emerging from Ribble Valley itself. Its Tory leader Simon Hore spoke of his ‘delight’ after it emerged it will be combined with Preston and Lancaster, the option unanimously supported by its councillors.
And Matthew Brown, Labour leader of Preston City Council, welcomed the announcement as a ‘new and exciting time’.
He said: “The new unitary council will boast excellent transport connectivity across a network of vibrant communities, including two economically thriving pioneering cities, stunning coastlines and countryside, internationally renowned universities and
educational institutions, and an abundance of areas of outstanding natural beauty and historical significance.
“We cannot underestimate how big this change is for us all, and it will take time and careful management, but it will bring with it some amazing new opportunities for growth and prosperity across the county.”
Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire also reacted positively to their grouping. They have already made strides towards establishing the new unitary, with Chorley’s Labour leader Alistair Bradley calling it ‘the right outcome for Lancashire’.
And what of the reaction from business? Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Members of the chamber had backed the notion of three local authorities for Lancashire which fell into the government’s population guidelines, connected existing councils with similar economic footprints which could deliver better services to businesses and residents.
“However, we accept the government’s proposals which splits the county into essentially four regions. As a voice of the business community for Lancashire, we will continue to act on their behalf to ensure growth and prosperity for the county.
“We look forward to working with the new local authorities as they begin the process of transition over the coming months. We appreciate there is a lot of work which needs to be done behind the scenes in order to make the new local authorities operational and deliver what is required for businesses and residents alike.”
THE NEW UNITARY COUNCILS WILL COVER:
North Lancashire: Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley
West Lancashire: Fylde, Wyre and Blackpool
East Lancashire: Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Pendle and Burnley.
South Lancashire: Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire
The changes will see these new unitary councils take responsibility for all local services in their areas. The government has confirmed that elections to the new shadow councils will take place in May 2027.
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.
The debate on the ultimate names of the four new councils continues as the current local authorities start to work towards the new landscape.
Mark Wynn, the senior responsible officer for local government reorganisation in Lancashire, said: “Since receiving the government’s decision on local
SOUTH Patrons:
government reorganisation in Lancashire, and further details in the letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, there has been a lot of discussion between the councils, and we are making good progress on our LGR programme.”
However, he added: “There are some details that we haven’t been able to agree unanimously, including the names of the new councils.”
Celebrate Lancashire Day with the county’s business community!
Date: Friday 27 November 2026 Time: 12.00pm – 5.00pm Venue: Burnley Football Club
• Network with like-minded leaders from businesses of all size and sectors
BOOK NOW Become a patron
Put your business at the heart of Lancashire Business Day.
Show your support for the county and raise your profile across Lancashire’s business community.
Contact Joanne Hindley on 07442 949697 or email
joanne@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk.
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