Local Government Reorganisation is the process by which the government is replacing Lancashire's current 15 councils with a smaller number of new unitary councils.
These new councils will be responsible for all local services in their area, such as education, social care, waste collection and planning.
The government has announced its preferred option for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Lancashire.
New unitary authorities
Subject to Parliamentary approval, four new councils will be created to replace the current 15 councils. The new arrangements will be legally confirmed only once a Structural Change Order is made.
The new unitary councils will cover:
- North Lancashire – made up of Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley
- West Lancashire – made up of Fylde, Wyre and Blackpool
- East Lancashire – made up of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Pendle and Burnley
- South Lancashire – made up of Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire This marks the start of the next phase of planning for the new unitary councils.
For now, it is business as usual. There are no immediate changes to services. Residents should continue to access support in the same way as they do now. Our focus remains on keeping services running smoothly and supporting our communities.
Local Government Reorganisation is about changing how councils are organised, not how people use services day to day. In the future, the new unitary councils will bring services together under a single organisation, making it simpler and more joined-up for residents.
This is a phased, long-term process. The new unitary councils are expected to take on responsibility for services in April 2028. This allows time for careful planning to ensure a smooth and well-managed transition. We understand that people may have questions about what this means. We are committed to being open, honest and transparent, and we will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
Find out more
Further updates, including key milestones and opportunities to ask questions, will be shared over the coming months as plans develop.