local government shake up

On the basis of the flimsy information you've made available ( not a criticism of you), it looks like a recipe for political mayhem. I think the Tory called it right (I never thought I'd write that!), there would be massive infighting. In the Fylde & Lancaster area, would Blackpool and Lancaster dominate? Would rural areas lose out? There are bound to be job losses. What guarantees underpin the Central Govt. funding settlements? Would it be the current funding for Lancs, Blackburn & Blackpool redrawn and if so, on what basis?
Now is not the time anyway. The UK economy is going into a Covid recession and the last thing we need is a political and structural reorganisation during it.
 
Presumably doesn't effect Blackpool.
It'll affect both Lancashire Unitary authorities, Blackpool and Blackburn. All councils dissolved, including the county council, and three 'super' authorities formed. Blackpool merged with Wyre, Fylde, Lancaster and Ribble Valley. Another authority in East Lancs and one taking in Preston and the south. So one tier of local government for Lancashire replaces the current two tier system.
 
If it improves accountability then go for it.
I have no great love of local council politics
I'd be looking at gaining city status for Blackpool because I think its a genuine aim. That would bring great prestige to the town and help drag it up to former glories.
 
One thing to consider is that the big cities (and city regions) have been favoured by successive governments in terms of resources and jobs with towns and rural areas left behind in comparison. If you are going to compete for the resources, investment and jobs then you need a bigger, strategic councils to counter the cities.
It also means you could make some efficiencies, by reducing duplication in terms of numbers of councillors, CXs etc and have a more standardised refuse collection that used a standsrd size collection vehicle and routes that make more sense across existing boundaries. And you could have some better local engagement by having some budgets delegated lto local priorities via to citizen engagement panels.
 
I can’t really see the case for it to be honest. Seems a bit like moving pieces around a board for the sake of it.

And what have Blackpool and Lancaster got in common to be lumped together?
 
I am a fan of unitary Government, the fact that we don't have it throughout the country is a quirk of history, more than anything else.

This proposal seems to me to be a messy hybrid that would have only a marginal benefit in terms of efficiency whilst doing almost nothing to improve accountability. And it will create structures that local people struggle to identify with.
 
I am a fan of unitary Government, the fact that we don't have it throughout the country is a quirk of history, more than anything else.

This proposal seems to me to be a messy hybrid that would have only a marginal benefit in terms of efficiency whilst doing almost nothing to improve accountability. And it will create structures that local people struggle to identify with.
Most people could identify with 'Lancashire'. Needs to be big enough enough to have strateegic clout. In your London, whilst you have unitary London Boroughs, many are too small
 
In theory devoled power is better, more localised means more localised knowledge and delivery.
Issue is, it creates more cost and in general the quality of employees is often diluted further. Wyre borough is poor in it's whole decision making and planning (particularly with having no housing policy which saw decisions regularly overturned at Westminster and new estates built on greenbelt due to no policy in place) and Blackpool and Fylde appear little better?
 
Long overdue. Anyone who knows anything about Local Government knows that Blackpool is far too small to be a Unitary. No wealthy areas and virtually no green space or room for development within the boundary. You could argue that the whole Fylde is too small to be Unitary but given the big visitor economy it's probably about right with a good mix of urban, green, wealth and poverty.
 
If i get a cheaper council tax bill count me in. Why not just get rid of the unitary authorities and go back to a proper lancashire council though...
 
If i get a cheaper council tax bill count me in. Why not just get rid of the unitary authorities and go back to a proper lancashire council though...

If it does, it’ll be an end to the current gravy train.
 
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Lancashire as a whole could do well to team up with Cumbria CC to form a larger conurbation that would attract funding across a broader spectrum of business/industry/tourism and farming whilst merging services etc. it might prove to be a cost cutting exercise - especially so for Cumbria - by bringing the Lancashire and Cumbrian Police under one roof which might appeal to a frugal Government looking to reduce costs and make a better case for a combined budget that benefits both areas. An elected Mayor for the region would have a bit more clout when compared to Manchester and Liverpool Metro Areas.

I can't imagine that the Cumbrians would be too pleased with it, but at least we could all say we live in the Lakes!
 
Yup it does and it'll be merged into one big 'super state'. Happy to debate this with those who've stayed loyal to the Gold Coast community over the years.
County Councils are just trying to get in first before they are abolished as Government thinks Districts know their areas better and could form unitaries by joining up. It’s a good wheeze but not sure it will get them in poll position.
 
County Councils are just trying to get in first before they are abolished as Government thinks Districts know their areas better and could form unitaries by joining up. It’s a good wheeze but not sure it will get them in poll position.
The Conservatives have always sought to meddle in provincial councils and introduced budgets and financial restraints as they've battled over the years. Lost a few elections with it too so you wonder why they put their fingers where they often get burnt?
 
Lancashire as a whole could do well to team up with Cumbria CC to form a larger conurbation that would attract funding across a broader spectrum of business/industry/tourism and farming whilst merging services etc. it might prove to be a cost cutting exercise - especially so for Cumbria - by bringing the Lancashire and Cumbrian Police under one roof which might appeal to a frugal Government looking to reduce costs and make a better case for a combined budget that benefits both areas. An elected Mayor for the region would have a bit more clout when compared to Manchester and Liverpool Metro Areas.

I can't imagine that the Cumbrians would be too pleased with it, but at least we could all say we live in the Lakes!
Why stop there? Let's bring in the Geordies and Yorkies as well! 😂
 
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