Local Government Reorganisation

This page brings together key information, guidance, updates and useful links on Local Government Reorganisation in Lancashire, helping local councils keep track of developments, timescales and sector responses.

Timeline

21 March 2025 was the deadline for submitting interim plans, with full proposals due by 28 November 2025.

Business As Usual

Services are expected to continue across the public sector while plans are developed.

Elections

The 2025 Lancashire County Council elections were not postponed.

Engagement

The letter to Lancashire below sets out expectations including proactive collaboration and wider engagement with local partners, stakeholders and residents.

A letter from Government to Lancashire, included below, contains more detail on developing plans for reorganisation, supporting places through change, timescales and next steps for interim plans and full proposals. We encourage our members to familiarise themselves with this framework.

Useful Links And Key Documents

Consultation

Government is consulting on proposals to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority. Lancashire is not currently in the first tranche, but you can read the information published on the first six areas.

View Consultation Page

Letter To Lancashire

Read the Government letter dated 5 February regarding Local Government Reorganisation in Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool.

View Letter To Lancashire

Lancashire County Council

Access Lancashire County Council's dedicated page containing information and press releases.

View Page

FAQs

Visit the LGA devolution and Local Government Reorganisation hub, which includes useful FAQs and supporting information.

View The LGA Hub

White Paper

Access the Government White Paper, Power and Partnerships: Foundations for Growth.

View White Paper

Letter From Lancashire

Read the letter from Lancashire's council leaders to Government in response to the 21 March 2025 interim plan deadline.

View Letter From Lancashire

Response From Government Minister

Read the written ministerial statement on Local Government Reorganisation published on 24 March 2025.

View Response From Minister

LALC will have a consultative and representative role and can advise the County Council and District Councils on how best to assist, liaise and work with the local council sector.

Working closely with the LALC Board, we will identify who we need to engage with on your behalf to help influence decisions affecting the sector.

LALC And NALC Updates

NALC Calls For The Inclusion Of Parish And Town Councils In The Government's Reorganisation Guidance

View Article

NALC Welcomes Government Clarification Over Parish And Town Council Involvement In Reorganisation Proposals

View Article

LGRC Article By Chair, Steve Milton

View Article

Think Neighbourhoods

A new approach to fixing the country's biggest policy challenges.

View Article

Local Government Reorganisation FAQs

Local government reorganisation: Policy and programme updates: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-government-reorganisation-policy-and-programme-updates

LGA devolution and Local Government Reorganisation FAQs and glossary: https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/devolution-hub/devolution-and-local-government-reorganisation-faqs-and-glossary

LGA devolution and Local Government Reorganisation hub: https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/devolution/devolution-and-lg-reorganisation-hub

"This government has been clear on our vision for simpler, more sustainable, local government structures, alongside a transfer of power out of Westminster through devolution."

Read the full document here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-government-reorganisation-invitation-to-local-authorities-in-two-tier-areas/letter-lancashire-blackburn-and-blackpool

Each district was asked to submit interim plans by 21 March 2025, with full proposals due by 28 November 2025. As proposals are submitted, we can collate relevant updates here.

It has been suggested that Lancashire could see a Type B approach, meaning a single tier of local authority covering an area that is currently a district, or two or more districts, potentially resulting in a smaller number of unitary councils across the county.

Each district was asked to submit interim plans by 21 March 2025, with full proposals due by 28 November 2025.

National Government - Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG)
NALC and LALC for local parish and town councils
Local Government Association (LGA)
Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA)
Lancashire County Council
12 borough and district councils
Blackburn with Darwen Unitary and Blackpool Unitary

Parish and town councils will be the first tier of local government remaining in areas under the new unitary council structure.

When district councils are dissolved or merged into a unitary council, assets may be offered to the parish and town council sector for more local management.

Parish and town councils may become even more valuable to local residents as there will no longer be a district council tier in between.

Look for opportunities that may be offered to the sector by district councils.

Form a plan for the future development of their parish or town council.

Parish and town councils could lobby their district in advance if there are specific assets or services they would like to see devolved to them.

Near-term and ongoing facilitation and representation of our sector in the process.

Maintaining LALC's website with up-to-date information and links to background information and developments.

Facilitating and gathering the key opportunities, issues and priorities of LALC's members.

Representing the sector at meetings involving LCC, district councils, future unitaries and others.

Negotiating with new unitary authorities, the LCCA, the Mayor and MHCLG.

Timeline

Business As Usual

Elections

Engagement

Useful Links And Key Documents

Consultation

Letter To Lancashire

Lancashire County Council

FAQs

White Paper

Letter From Lancashire

Response From Government Minister

LALC And NALC Updates

NALC Calls For The Inclusion Of Parish And Town Councils In The Government's Reorganisation Guidance

NALC Welcomes Government Clarification Over Parish And Town Council Involvement In Reorganisation Proposals

LGRC Article By Chair, Steve Milton

Think Neighbourhoods

Local Government Reorganisation FAQs

Why are changes to local government being proposed?

What are the objectives of national government for Lancashire and what is being proposed generally and locally across Lancashire?

What is the schedule?

Who is involved?

What will be the role of local councils (parish and town councils)?

What could local councils (parish and town councils) be looking to do?

How can LALC help with proposals and the way forward?