Local Government Reorganisation in Lancashire

If you get confused about which council does what in Lancashire, you’re not alone, it’s a mindboggling maze.

We’re one of the few places that has got a two-tier system where one council handles potholes and roads, another deals with pavements and parks. Education sits with the county, planning with the district. One collects your bins, another disposes of the waste. And residents are footing the bill for two sets of councillors and 15 different councils with senior management teams and all the other costs that come with running them. We have seen from most of the rest of England that its not necessary, and we only need a handful.

Meanwhile, our neighbours in Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region are thriving under streamlined unitary authorities and metro mayors, unlocking millions in extra funding and delivering better services.

Lancashire deserves the same. That’s why I support the bill empowering the Secretary of State to reorganise councils into unitary authorities where it makes sense, for simpler, more efficient local government.