Special edition: Lancashire mayor and council abolitions expected
What to expect from the government's big devolution plans
Hello and welcome to a special edition of The Lancashire Lead looking at the publication of the English Devolution White Paper.
The document outlines the government’s intention on how it intends to give out more power to the local leaders, with more influence over transport, housing and education to be handed down alongside the increased funding which makes devolution so attractive to many.
To put my cards on the table, the chatter about this publication had led me to expect some kind of bombshell which would jump off the page and change the face of Lancashire as we know it. At first reading, that isn’t exactly what’s to be found with a some quite vague concepts discussed in Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s publication.
However, dig a little deeper and there some significant changes potentially coming our way. Read on to find out more about the end to Lancashire’s two-tier council system; how Lancashire can take control of its public transport as in Liverpool and Greater Manchester; and the increased likelihood of an elected mayor - sooner than you might expect.
Plus, there’s reaction from leading industry figures on what it all might mean.
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Paving the way for a Lancashire mayor
Nowhere in the white paper does it directly say that Lancashire will be getting a mayor - but there is one pretty strong indication from the government:
"We will invite a number of places to join our Devolution Priority Programme. This will be for certain places that are able to come together under sensible geographies which meet the criteria, and where they are ready to achieve mayoral devolution at pace. This programme will aim to deliver institutions and have Mayors elected in the May 2026 elections, and provide certain places with the full backing of government to deliver to these ambitious timescales.
“Places will be able to further strengthen their voices and agency in deciding what is right for their areas, including accessing the new powers in our revised Devolution Framework and ultimately taking their seat at the Council of the Nations and Regions.
“The government will announce the areas included in the Devolution Priority Programme in due course.”
The Lancashire Lead understands that Lancashire is among the areas being targeted for the programme. While the current local leaders argue about whether a mayor is right for the county, moves are expected to continue behind the scenes to push the concept into becoming a reality. And with the majority of the county’s MPs in favour of this happening, there will be voices in Westminster doing all they can to encourage it.
Who exactly could step into that role is a question which is a long way from being answered. Is there a Lancashire version of Andy Burnham waiting in the wings? Now would be an ideal time for would-be candidates to make start making themselves known among influential circles.
Borough and city councils facing abolition
As encouraged in a letter by Lancashire’s Labour MPs, there appears to be a likelihood that many - if not all- of existing councils are set to be wiped away. The white paper makes clear the government’s preference is for a smaller number of councils to be covering larger areas rather than Lancashire’s current system which involves two tiers of local government.
This involves a situation whereby Lancashire County Council is responsible for the likes of highways and social care, but lower tier authorities (e.g. Preston City Council, Fylde Council, Hyndburn Borough Council) handle areas such as waste collection and planning applications.
Replacing these with unitary councils would simplify that but involve large areas being merged together - something which has already proved a politically volatile subject.
"Unitary councils can lead to better outcomes for residents, save significant money which can be reinvested in public services, and improve accountability with fewer politicians who are more able to focus on delivering for residents.
“This White Paper announces that we will facilitate a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas, and for unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries may be hindering their ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality public services.
“We will invite proposals for reorganisation from all these areas. We will take a phased approach to delivery, taking into account where reorganisation can unlock devolution, where areas are keen to move quickly or where it can help address wider failings. We are clear that reorganisation should not delay devolution and plans for both should be complementary. "
While Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen both already have the unitary model, the reality is they are far too small compared to the proposed system and will likely need to be replaced by much larger councils.
This is another situation where agreement will not come easily.
Taking control of public transport
One of the perceived successes of Greater Manchester’s devolution has been the creation of the Bee Network - its attempt to create a London-style, publicly owned transport system. Simpler ticketing systems and more public say on the routes offered are among the benefits and could be coming Lancashire’s way if the devolution opportunity can be fully seized.
“The new Combined County Authorities in Devon & Torbay and Lancashire will receive powers to improve the integration of local transport and control of local transport functions and the ability to exercise compulsory purchase powers to help drive regeneration. They will also receive devolved adult skills funding from academic year 2026/2027. "
Throughout the document, the suggestion of greater control over buses is regularly linked to mayoral powers but Lancashire’s influence will increase regardless. For anyone who uses public transport to travel across the different parts of the county, having to switch between buses and trains or different bus providers for each stretch of the journey - or simply left unable to travel because of poor connections and limited journey frequency - it’s clear that change is very much needed.
Warm response - but more funding and power wanted
Among those to react to the publication of the white paper, Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, told The Lancashire Lead:
"The Chamber welcomes the government’s White Paper on devolution as a critical opportunity to empower regions like Lancashire to shape their own economic destiny. Greater devolution has the potential to unlock significant investment, drive innovation, and deliver solutions that reflect the unique challenges and opportunities of our county.
“For this to be truly effective, it must be accompanied by genuine decision-making powers and sustainable, long-term funding commitments to deliver change.
“We would urge the government to engage closely with the business community during this process. Businesses are the engine of our regional economy, and their input is vital in ensuring that any new structures of governance foster growth, create jobs, and improve skills provision.
“The Chamber looks forward to working with local and national leaders to ensure Lancashire’s voice is heard and to maximise the benefits devolution could bring to our region."
Elsewhere, Zoë Billingham, director of think IPPR North said:
“Today the Deputy Prime Minister has shown that this government is taking devolution seriously as a tool to improve living standards and strengthen democracy and accountability.
“The new devolution framework paired with additional powers for mayors on strategic planning, housing, transport and skills moves more power out of Westminster, and this is to be welcomed.
"With local government reorganisation looming large today, we stand ready to work with the local and central government to work out how large local authorities can stay close and get closer to their communities.
"Next we would like to see commitments to exploring fiscal devolution, to mature the model of devolution and allow regional leaders to make more big calls for their areas. All in all, today’s tough calls represent a leap ahead for pushing power out of Westminster”.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:
"We want every council in England to be able to secure devolution that works for them, their local economies, and their residents. While different areas will have strong views on what that should look like, genuine devolution of powers and resources can play a huge role in promoting inclusive economic growth, creating jobs, and improving public services. In a very centralised country, moving funding and power from Whitehall to local leaders is needed, but it must be done in a way where empowered councils and the communities they serve are at the heart of decision-making.
“Reforms in this white paper will have a significant impact on every council and community. While our members are – and always have been – open to change, we remain clear that local government reorganisation should be a matter for councils and local areas to decide. In the coming weeks and months, the LGA will be engaging proactively with all our members across the country as we look to respond fully to the white paper. At the same time, we will be closely monitoring the bill and working with Parliamentarians to ensure we get the best possible legislation on behalf of our members.
“However, devolution is not an end in itself and cannot distract from the severe funding pressures that are pushing local services to the brink. It is vital the forthcoming provisional Local Government Finance Settlement provides councils with a significant and sustained increase in overall funding that reflects current and future demand for services. This should include compensation for the changes to employer national insurance contributions announced in the Budget.”
