Economy and Infrastructure

01.03.19

Lancashire councils launch bid for new unitary super-council

Four Lancashire councils have launched a campaign to create a new ‘super’ unitary authority.

The authorities have written to the government asking for advice on how to create a new all-purpose ‘Pennine Lancashire’ council in order to pool their resources to create a “big voice in the Northern Powerhouse.”

The four leaders making the cross-party call to James Brokenshire come from Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale and Blackburn with Darwen councils.

The cross-party alliance said their plans would “see their areas move from being remembered as the birthplaces of the industrial revolution, to being reborn as the industrial HQ of the Northern Powerhouse.”

With some of the councils who announced their budgets this week facing multi-million deficits, as well as having to raise council taxes and make “difficult decisions” regarding vital services, the letter highlighted that the region has some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country.

The letter read: “This has gone on for too long. We believe with an ambitious plan and our drive... we can deliver the very best for our residents.”

“Our area has unique needs that are currently not being met. This plan would allow us to create a financially sustainable authority, with one set of senior managers and economies of scale.”

Councillors Paul White, Mohammed Khan, Alyson Barnes and Mark Townsend told the government that as part of the plan they want official backing for a Pennine Lancashire Pilot Plan developed for the area, which would involve the private sector in order to improve transport and education.

If approved, the new unitary would take over responsibilities for the four areas from Lancashire County Council and also scupper plans for a Lancashire Combined Authority.

Burnley council leader Mark Townsend said: “It is great news that as East Lancashire Leaders we have put any differences we may have to one side and are working together for the benefit of the area as a whole.

“A Pennine Lancashire Council will have the scale and influence to attract the inward investment needed to sustain quality services for residents and realise the Borough’s economic growth potential.”

However, Miles Parkinson - the leader of Hyndburn Council which sits in the middle of the proposed unitary area, has opted against joining the campaign.

Parkinson said he did not sign the letter because he could not see any agreement across all of Lancashire, and the county council leader Geoff Driver said there were many difficult issues to consider before implementing any such proposal.

 

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

public sector executive tv

more videos >

latest public sector news

Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

19/08/2020Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

Leeds City Council have today (August 19) announced that their plans for a Clean Air Zone within the city may not have to go ahead due to lower e... more >
Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

19/08/2020Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

According to recent statistics by London Councils, apprenticeships directly created by London boroughs are up 14% on the previous  year. ... more >
Colleges set to receive £200m in Funding

19/08/2020Colleges set to receive £200m in Funding

Over 180 colleges are set to receive a share of £200m, in order to repair and refurbish buildings and campuses. The funding makes up p... more >

editor's comment

25/10/2017Take a moment to celebrate

Devolution, restructuring and widespread service reform: from a journalist’s perspective, it’s never been a more exciting time to report on the public sector. That’s why I could not be more thrilled to be taking over the reins at PSE at this key juncture. There could not be a feature that more perfectly encapsulates this... read more >

last word

Prevention: Investing for the future

Prevention: Investing for the future

Rob Whiteman, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA), discusses the benefits of long-term preventative investment. Rising demand, reducing resource – this has been th... more > more last word articles >
Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

19/08/2020Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

Leeds City Council have today (August 19) announced that their plans for a Clean Air Zone within the city may not have to go ahead due to lower emissions during the lockdown period. The coun... more >
Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

19/08/2020Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

According to recent statistics by London Councils, apprenticeships directly created by London boroughs are up 14% on the previous  year. Between April 2019 and March 2020, London boroug... more >

the raven's daily blog

Cleaner, greener, safer media: Increased ROI, decreased carbon

23/06/2020Cleaner, greener, safer media: Increased ROI, decreased carbon

Evolution is crucial in any business and Public Sector Executive is no different. Long before Covid-19 even became a thought in the back of our minds, the team at PSE were looking at innovative ways to deliver its content to our audience in a more dynamic and responsive manner. We’re conscious to take the time to both prot... more >
read more blog posts from 'the raven' >

comment

Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Being on the receiving end of some “thanks” can make communit... more >
How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

19/06/2019How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

Tom Chance, director at the National Community Land Trust Network, argues that community-led initiatives are a productive way of helping to solve... more >
Aberdeen's green transport fleet attracting international attention

19/06/2019Aberdeen's green transport fleet attracting international attention

Aberdeen City Council’s hydrogen spokesperson, councillor Philip Bell, highlights the Granite City’s determination to play a leading ... more >
A fifth of public sector workers have never received a thank you from the people they serve

13/06/2019A fifth of public sector workers have never received a thank you from the people they serve

A fifth of the country’s public sector workers say they have NEVER received a ‘thank you’ for doing their job as Public Service... more >

interviews

Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

17/12/2018Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

It’s no secret that the public sector and its service providers need to invest in technology to help make better use of their resources. Bu... more >
Digital innovation in the public sector: The future is now

17/12/2018Digital innovation in the public sector: The future is now

One of the public sector’s key technology partners has recently welcomed a new member to its team. Matt Spencer, O2’s head of public ... more >
New Dorset Councils CEO on the creation of a new unitary: ‘This is going to be the right decision for Dorset’

05/11/2018New Dorset Councils CEO on the creation of a new unitary: ‘This is going to be the right decision for Dorset’

The new chief executive of one of the new unitary authorities in Dorset has outlined his approach to culture and work with employees, arguing tha... more >
Keeping the momentum of the Northern Powerhouse

15/10/2018Keeping the momentum of the Northern Powerhouse

On 6 September, the biggest decision-makers of the north joined forces to celebrate and debate how to drive innovation and improvement through th... more >

public sector focus

View all News