'Local democracy is at risk'
Keir Starmer's new government forum for UK nations and regions including English regional mayors risks transferring power from local councils to a few elite politicians with 'vast powers', a Lancashire council leader has claimed.
But Lancashire will not be represented at Friday's talks. This is because it does not have a devolution deal, an elected regional mayor nor a regional combined authority. "Full fat" devolution in Lancashire, complete with an elected mayor, more devolved powers and a bigger regional budget is being championed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
Lancashire County Council, Blackburn and Blackpool councils have played leading roles in the current plan. But some smaller Lancashire district councils are unhappy, saying they would have no voting rights on the new combined authority so it would be unrepresentative. He said: "Further to this council's extraordinary meeting on devolution, we have now had commitments from the leaders of Fylde, Wyre and Burnley councils that they are against local government reorganisation.
He added: "This is a change in the country's constitution. A transfer of power from councils to a small few with vast powers. It feels like back to the future in Norman England."
Ribble Valley Borough Council Lancashire Lancashire County Council Burnley Council Wyre Fylde Chorley Council
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