Rayner puts Lancashire councils shake up on hold after legal challenges

Plans to streamline local government in Lancashire have been paused following legal challenges.

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said ministers will now review plans for Local Government Reorganisation, including in Lancashire, where the county council faces abolition and a split into four new unitary authorities. 

Local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries and a Rewiring the State White Paper on devolution will set out future plans.

Angela Rayner

Rayner said: “As we are now determined more than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as the new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain.”    

The proposal for Lancashire’s four new unitary councils were for North Lancashire, made up of Lancaster, Preston and Ribble ValleWest Lancashire – made up of Fylde, Wyre and Blackpool; East Lancashire – made up of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Pendle and Burnley; South Lancashire – made up of Chorley, South Ribble and, bizarrely, West Lancashire.

Mark Wynn, the Senior Responsible Officer for Local Government Reorganisation in Lancashire, said: “We note the government’s announcement that plans for local government reorganisation in Lancashire will be reviewed and paused.

“Collectively we will consider the detail carefully and continue to work together while the review takes place.

“In the meantime, the focus of all of Lancashire’s councils remains firmly on delivering services and supporting residents and communities across the county.”