Despite the government's announcement to abolish Lancashire's two-tier local government structure, the county council elections scheduled for May 1st will go ahead. The council leadership declined the government's offer to postpone elections and is preparing for the vote while navigating the complex process of local authority restructuring.
Lancashire County Council elections will go ahead in May – in spite of the authority’s days being numbered. The government last month said it was scrapping the so-called ‘two-tier’ structure that operates in places like Lancashire – meaning all of the county’s 15 councils will be abolished in the foreseeable future and replaced with no more than four new local authorities spread across the patch.
The authority says that as well as preparing for the county vote in May, it remains “business as usual” for all other aspects of the authority’s work, in spite of the fact the axe now hangs over it. The decision not to press pause on the elections has promoted a mixed reaction from MPs and senior county councillors – and one which does not cut neatly along the political divide.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner indicated last month that elections would be postponed for no more than a year – meaning the replacement authorities, or at least shadow versions of them, would have to be in place by May 2026. That would be an ambitious timetable for Lancashire to meet given its fractured – and fractious – starting point on the subject.
South Ribble MP Paul Foster said the money that would have been saved by cancelling the county council elections could have been better spent on other services – and warned the longer-term damage of delaying the process was even more significant. “Other Conservative councils in England have jumped on board, postponed their local elections and are signing up to the greatest opportunity in a generation – because they are putting residents first, not self interest.
“To just throw it open to and say, ‘Give us a proposal’ leaves everyone jockeying for position as to what is best for them. Labour’s Lancaster and Wyre MP Cat Smith has previously expressed concern that a “one-size-fits-all” council and mayoral arrangement would not work for Lancashire. Along with party colleagues Lizzi Collinge, representing Morecambe and Lunesdale, and Jonathan Hinder in Pendle and Clitheroe, she has not signed the letter from the rest of the county’s Labour MPs expressing dismay that the elections have not been postponed.
“I am concerned about the uncertainty for all council staff whose jobs will no doubt remain, but who would have to move to new systems and structures. Also what the government has proposed so far in insisting on new, super-size councils serving a population of half a million people is not appropriate for our county: we would see a loss of sense of place, democracy, and accountability.
However, the LDRS understands that after a meeting between the government and the signatories of the devolution deal earlier the week, ministers agreed to honour the autumn deadline for the next set of devolution proposals to be drawn up by the county. However, County Cllr Williamson said: “I am passionate about the need for devolution in Lancashire and the historic deal we have secured sets the foundation for further devolution, collaboration and ambitious growth. “It is important we do not lose this momentum and we build on the fantastic opportunity we have been given so we are able to pursue even more opportunities via the new CCA.”
Local Government Elections Lancashire Reorganisation Devolution Council
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The end for Preston City Council and Lancashire County CouncilCounty Hall in Preston. Pic: Blog Preston Preston may after today be on course for its most dramatic political shake-up in a generation. While County Hal
Read more »
Lancashire County Council to Hold Elections Despite Planned AbolitionLancashire County Council will proceed with elections next year despite the government's plan to abolish it and replace it with new authorities. The government stated that local elections are expected to continue, but could be postponed if an authority seeks to discuss alternative council setups. Lancashire County Council has no plans to engage with the government before the January 10th deadline, meaning the vote for 84 council members will likely proceed.
Read more »
No plans to cancel 2025 elections despite move to abolish Lancashire County CouncilCounty Hall in Preston. Pic: Blog Preston Lancashire County Council has no plans to seek the cancellation of elections to the authority next year, the Local
Read more »
Lancashire County Council Won't Seek Election Cancellation Despite Government PlansLancashire County Council has stated its intention to proceed with local elections next year, despite the government's plan to abolish all two-tier local authorities in the county.
Read more »
Lancashire County Council Pays Out £194,000 for Road Defect DamageLancashire County Council has paid out a significant sum in compensation to motorists whose vehicles were damaged by potholes and other highway defects.
Read more »
Lancashire County Council Pays Out £194,000 in Pothole CompensationLancashire County Council has been paying out significant sums to drivers whose vehicles have been damaged by potholes and other road defects. The council has paid out £194,000 in compensation over the past three years.
Read more »