Ribble Valley Borough Council has taken a bold step by committing to hold a referendum on any proposed local government reorganization in the event that the authority is abolished as part of a devolution deal. The move comes as the council’s leader, Stephen Atkinson, expresses concerns about the potential loss of local control and civic pride that could result from the creation of a handful of larger councils.
Atkinson, who is also the leader of the Conservative group on the council, believes that residents should have the final say in any decision to reorganize local government. He argues that the creation of a handful of larger councils could lead to the loss of local control and civic pride, and that residents should be given the opportunity to vote on any proposed changes.
“We must remember that the districts came from the local corporations that provided clean water and civic functions – so they’ve grown out of a local need,” Atkinson said. “That’s why we’re all different shapes and sizes. To now go to some kind of Stalinist, top-down system is so misinformed, because – to me – that says local government is seen as a delivery mechanism for central government. But it’s actually about civic pride, responsiveness, understanding your residents – and local priorities.”
Atkinson’s concerns are echoed by other local politicians, including the new Labour MP for South Ribble, Paul Foster, who believes that a “grown-up conversation” is needed about reorganization. Foster, who has been a staunch defender of Lancashire’s two-tier system of local government during his previous five years as leader of the borough’s council, argues that any proposals for reorganization should be given a hearing and considered carefully before being implemented.
“We need to have a grown-up conversation about reorganization and make sure that any changes are in the best interests of the people of Lancashire,” Foster said. “We can’t just rush into something without thinking about the consequences. We need to make sure that any changes are carefully considered and that the voices of local people are heard.”
Chorley Council’s Labour leader, Alistair Bradley, has also expressed support for giving any proposals for reorganization a hearing. “We need to make sure that any changes are in the best interests of the people of Lancashire and that we’re not just rushing into something without thinking about the consequences,” Bradley said. “We need to make sure that we’re giving local people a say in any changes that are proposed and that we’re not just imposing something on them without their consent.”
The issue of local government reorganization is not new in Lancashire. In 2020, the county council drew up a proposal that would have resulted in the abolition of every local authority in the area and seen them replaced with three so-called ‘unitary’ authorities that would deliver all council services in their patch. The proposal was met with widespread opposition from local residents and politicians, and was ultimately rejected.
However, the issue is likely to resurface as the Labour administration considers a new devolution deal that could involve the creation of a mayoral combined authority. The deal could potentially lead to the abolition of some local authorities and the creation of a new, larger authority that would deliver all council services in its patch.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has not commented on the potential link between local government reorganization and devolution, but has emphasized the importance of working with local leaders and stakeholders to drive growth and give power back to local people.
“Our ambitious programme of devolution is focused on driving growth and giving power back to local people – and working with local leaders, members of parliament and stakeholders, including those in Lancashire, will be critical to its success across the country,” a spokesperson said. “Further details on a new devolution framework – setting out more details for local areas on how devolution agreements will work – will be announced in due course.”
The fate of Ribble Valley Borough Council and other local authorities in Lancashire remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the issue of local government reorganization is likely to be a contentious one in the coming months and years.