Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Lancashire

The Government has announced its preferred option for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Lancashire, marking the biggest change to local government across the county in more than 50 years. Subject to Parliamentary approval, the current 15 local authorities will be replaced by four new unitary councils, bringing all local government services together under a single authority in each area.

The proposed new councils are:

• North Lancashire – Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley

• West Lancashire – Fylde, Wyre and Blackpool

• East Lancashire – Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale

• South Lancashire – Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire

The new shadow councils are expected to be elected in 2027, with the new unitary authorities taking responsibility for services from April 2028. Until then, there are no immediate changes to how residents access local services, and current arrangements will continue as they are.

For the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, this represents a significant moment. While many of the practical implications will become clearer over the coming months, the transition is a chance to reconsider how local government engages and works in partnership with communities, and how VCFSE organisations can be recognised as strategic partners in shaping services and improving outcomes.

The Government has said this change is intended to simplify and better join up local services by reducing the number of councils and creating clearer decision-making structures. The aim is to improve efficiency, value for money, and accountability, while making services easier for residents to navigate. While the structure of local government will change, there is an expectation that communities will continue to have a voice through elected representatives and we hope this will genuinely strengthen opportunities for communities to be heard and influence decisions that affect them.

At Inclusive North, we will continue to work across Lancashire, supporting Black and Racially Minoritised (BRM)-led organisations and advocating for racial equality throughout this period of change. We believe all communities should have a voice in shaping the systems and services that affect their lives, particularly those whose voices have too often been excluded or underrepresented. As new governance arrangements take shape, it will be vital that the experiences, perspectives and expertise of BRM communities are meaningfully reflected in decision-making, commissioning and service design from the outset.

We look forward to working with partners across Lancashire to help ensure these new structures create stronger relationships with communities, tackle inequalities, and build more inclusive public services for everyone. We will continue to share updates and engage with our partners as more information becomes available.