Council leader expresses disappointment at government decision
The leader of Blackpool Council has publicly criticised today's announcement on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Lancashire, saying the outcome is not the version Labour-run Blackpool had sought and warning it could put the town’s identity at risk. The change will see Blackpool combined with Fylde and Wyre to form one of four new unitary authorities across the county.
The reorganisation represents the most significant change to local government in the area for more than half a century. Once approved by Parliament, the new authorities will replace the current 15 councils and take responsibility for all local services in their areas.
What Blackpool proposed and what was decided
Blackpool Council had argued for a different configuration. Its preferred model would have joined Blackpool with Fylde and Preston and included the western half of Wyre up to the River Wyre — a boundary change intended to address what the council described as anomalies dating from the 1970s.
"We know most people in Blackpool don’t want this to happen. There is a real risk of losing Blackpool’s identity in reorganisation,"
The council leader said that proposal aimed to correct long-standing boundary issues where some rural communities on the Fylde coast were governed from elsewhere. She said the government’s chosen path was less effective for delivering services across the Fylde coast and would not represent the change Blackpool had hoped for.
Timetable and next steps
The new authorities will be established in shadow form from May 2027 when the first elections for the unitary councils are scheduled to take place. Subject to Parliamentary approval, the changes will come fully into effect on 1 April 2028.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Shadow authorities elected | May 2027 |
| New unitary councils take effect | 1 April 2028 |
Local concerns and council responsibilities
Blackpool’s leadership has framed its response around two central concerns: the potential dilution of Blackpool’s civic identity, and the effectiveness of delivering services if areas either side of the River Wyre sit within the same authority. The leader emphasised that, despite disappointment, the council will now focus on ensuring a smooth transition as public servants preparing for the new arrangements.
- Identity: Leaders fear the town’s distinct voice could be diminished within a larger authority.
- Service delivery: Concerns were raised that the chosen boundaries may not be the most efficient for running local services.
- Implementation timetable: Shadow councils from May 2027; full change from April 2028.
The names of the new councils have not yet been confirmed and will be decided at a later date. The council leader said that while the outcome was not the one Blackpool advocated, the authority’s duty is now to prepare to work within the new system to protect residents’ interests when the changes take effect.
