Local Government Reorganisation

What is local government reorganisation?

Local government reorganisation is a requirement by central government to replace the current two-tier system (county and district councils) and smaller unitaries with larger unitary authorities.

How will local government reorganisation benefit Lancashire?

Replacing the current two-tier system with larger unitary authorities will streamline decision-making, simplify administrative processes, reduce costs, and improve service delivery.

What is the process of local government reorganisation, and when will it happen?

Lancashire was invited on the 5th February 2025 to reorganise its local government structures and to submit a letter to central government on Friday 21st March 2025, outlining the current position. The reorganisation process involves consultations, legislative approvals, and transitional arrangements.  The deadline for local reorganisation proposals is 28th November 2025.

The Council Leader will represent Rossendale in the proposals, with guidance from the Council’s Chief Executive.

How might local government reorganisation in Lancashire look?

In Lancashire, discussions continue regarding the consolidation of the current 15 councils into fewer unitary authorities.

For example, a proposal could suggest creating three new unitary authorities to replace the 15 current councils:

• Central Lancashire
• North West Lancashire
• East Pennine Lancashire

Will local services in Rossendale change under the new structure? 

Yes, services will change. A unitary council will be responsible for all local services previously split between Rossendale Borough Council and Lancashire County Council. This means one council will handle everything, including:

• Waste collection and disposal
• Road maintenance and highways
• Education and schools
• Social care for adults and children
• Libraries and leisure centres
• Housing and planning
• Council tax collection

The goal is to provide better, more coordinated services with less confusion about which council is responsible for what.

How will residents be represented in the new unitary authority? 

Residents will elect councillors to the new unitary council instead of having separate borough and county councillors. This means:

• One set of councillors responsible for all local services
• Possibly fewer councillors overall than the current combined total
• New ward boundaries that may be different from current ones
• Regular elections to the unitary council (typically every four years)

Rossendale residents will still have local representatives, but they'll be part of the larger unitary council covering a wider area.

Residents will have opportunities to share their concerns during the consultation process when implementation timelines are confirmed.

How will the local government reorganisation affect the Lancashire Combined County Authority? 

The reorganisation will change the Combined Authority's membership:

• Instead of having representatives from both district councils (like Rossendale) and the county council, the Combined Authority will include leaders from the new unitary councils
• The number of leaders sitting on the Combined Authority board will decrease
• The Combined Authority will still oversee strategic priorities across Lancashire, including economic development, transport, and skills
• The unitary councils will work with the Combined Authority on region-wide initiatives while delivering day-to-day services locally