Agenda and draft minutes

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

No declarations of interest were made at this point.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

Report of Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive to allow Cabinet to formally agree Lancaster City Council’s preference for the case for change it supports for Local Government Reorganisation.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Five options have been developed for local government structures in Lancashire, ranging from two to five unitary councils. Appendix 2 to the report shows the proposed geographies and council support for each option, and they are summarised below:

a.         Two unitary councils with Lancashire split into North and South regions broadly across the River Ribble and M65. This has been developed by Lancashire County Council.

b.         Three unitary councils bringing Chorley together with South Ribble, West Lancs and Preston. In the North a council covering the area of Fylde, Wyre, Blackpool and Lancaster. In the east Blackburn with Darwen together with Hyndburn, Rossendale, Burnley, Pendle and Ribble Valley. This has been developed by Wyre, Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Fylde, and Rossendale.

c.         Four Lancashire which groups Chorley with South Ribble and West Lancs and creates a fourth unitary council of Lancaster, Ribble Valley, and Preston in the North. This is the most widely supported of all options having been developed by six councils; Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancs, Preston, Ribble Valley, and Lancaster.

d.         An alternate four option which has been developed by Blackpool and splits the current districts of Wyre and Ribble Valley and brings Blackpool together with Preston.

e.         A five unitary option, developed by Burnley and Pendle, which creates an additional council in the East of the county, splitting Pendle, Burnley and Rossendale from Ribble Valley, Blackpool and Hyndburn. This also divides districts along the Fylde coast into different authority areas.

Options appraisal

A comprehensive approach has been taken to the development of a four unitary Lancashire proposal for local government reorganisation in Lancashire. It covers the strategic, economic, financial, commercial, and management cases, providing context and background for the proposed changes. The business case assesses current arrangements and challenges, presents the rationale and opportunities for adopting a four-unitary model, and details the vision, ambitions, and approach for key services. It also explains how the proposed changes will be delivered, ensuring that the business case is robust, evidence-based, and clearly structured to support the transformation of local government in Lancashire.

The full proposal that has been developed undertakes an options-appraisal of each of the proposals being developed in Lancashire. The initial appraisal assessed each model against the government’s criteria. The two, five, and alternate four proposals face challenges in scale, community engagement, and strategic alignment and so have not been taken forward.

Option                                                            Against government criteria

Two unitary Lancashire                                  The new councils would have extremely large populations of circa 800,000, amongst the largest in the country. This is significantly higher than the government’s expected population and risks inefficiency and reduced responsiveness to local needs due to scale. It is likely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.