Fylde Council is set to reaffirm its formal opposition to the proposed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Lancashire, which would see the current two-tier system replaced by fewer, larger unitary councils.
A Motion passed by Full Council on 16 December 2024 made clear that Fylde “opposes further local government reorganisation in Lancashire… as being a distraction from delivering devolution and would have a negative effect on delivering our services and ambitions for Fylde.” This remains the Council’s official stance.
However, the Government’s English Devolution White Paper has triggered a statutory process requiring councils in two-tier areas to submit proposals for new unitary arrangements by 28 November 2025. Fylde Council, alongside other Lancashire authorities, has engaged in this process to ensure that any future governance structure best reflects the needs and priorities of its communities.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Karen Buckley, said: “Fylde Council does not support the dismantling of the two-tier system. We consistently deliver high quality, for example, an extremely reliable and highly praised bin collection service, award-winning parks and gardens, and premier events like the 1940s Weekend and International Kite Festival. Our residents value the local accountability and responsiveness that district councils provide.
“However, we have a duty to engage with the government’s process and advocate for arrangements that minimise disruption and protect the services our communities rely on. The three unitary option is the most balanced and deliverable proposal and meets all the criteria set by the government. It reflects existing service patterns, avoids unnecessary boundary changes, and offers the best chance of stable, efficient governance should reorganisation proceed.”
The three unitary model groups Fylde with Blackpool, Wyre and Lancaster to form a Coastal Lancashire authority. This configuration aligns with existing service delivery, economic geography, and NHS and policing footprints. It also avoids the need for disruptive boundary changes and supports shared priorities such as sea defences, environmental protection, and sustainable tourism.
Public engagement has been central to the Council’s approach. A county-wide survey received over 13,000 responses, with residents in Fylde postcodes FY8 and PR4 expressing the strongest opposition to unitarisation—85% and 77% respectively preferring to retain the current arrangements.
Fylde Council will determine its recommendation to the government at their meeting on 25 September ahead of the 28 November deadline. The government is expected to consult on Lancashire submissions in early 2026, with a final decision anticipated by summer.
For more information on all the proposals under consideration across Lancashire, visit Fylde Council’s dedicated LGR webpage.
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