'There's still time' - Ribble Valley residents urged to have their say on local Government changes

Lancashire’s 15 councils, including Ribble Valley Borough Council (RVBC), look set to be merged by 2028 in the biggest shake-up of local government in over 50 years.

The Government launched a consultation into the proposed changes last month and residents can still have their say until 11:59pm on Thursday, March 26.

Currently, Lancashire County Council provides services such as social care, education, roads and libraries, while district and borough councils manage services such as recycling and refuse collection, planning, housing and leisure. But the Government wants to replace Lancashire councils with single-tier authorities delivering all services.

The ruling Reform UK on Lancashire County Council is opposed, in principle, to so-called local government reorganisation (LGR), but the authority has nevertheless had to answer a call from ministers to draw up its preference for the changes.

The county’s 15 councils have been working together to develop proposals on how the new authorities might look. These include business cases for two, three, four, an alternative four and five unitary authorities, which were submitted to the Government last November.

Ribble Valley councillors have expressed a wish to remain independent, but unanimously agreed that if reorganisation has to take place, their preference is to see the borough combined with Lancaster and Preston.

Following an initial public survey on the proposed changes last year, the Government wants to gather further evidence from named consultees and interested parties. The consultation is targeted towards specific sectors, such as the police and health, but input from residents and businesses will be considered.

To take part and / or see the different proposals on the new unitary authorities visit lancashirelgr.co.uk, any Lancashire library or the Ribble Valley Borough Council Offices in Church Walk, Clitheroe.

What happens next?

The Government’s preferred option is expected to be announced in the summer, with elections for the shadow authorities taking place next May and the new councils taking over services on April 1, 2028. Parish and town councils will not be affected by the proposed changes.

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