Lancaster City Council, together with Preston and Ribble Valley councils, have proposed the name “Lancaster, Preston & Ribble Valley Council” as the new unitary council name, as they feel that the title “North Lancashire” loses our identity.
“We believe this proudly reflects our identity,” the councils have explained.
The government has announced a major local government reorganisation plan for Lancashire. Subject to parliamentary approval, the current 15 local councils will be replaced by four new unitary authorities starting in April 2028. The proposed North Lancashire authority includes Morecambe.
“The names Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley reflect where people live, belong and take pride in their communities,” the City Council has said in a short statement. “That identity should not be lost when council structures change.”
The leaders of Lancaster City Council, Preston City Council and Ribble Valley Borough Council have sent an open letter to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, asking it to give full consideration to Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley Council as the permanent name of the new authority.
The Government has confirmed that elections to the new shadow councils will take place in May 2027. All councils have been working together to do the necessary preliminary work to prepare for this and there is a team ready to implement the changes needed for the new unitary councils going live on 1st April 2028.
For now, all current 15 councils will continue to provide “high-quality services” to residents and communities with no immediate changes to how those services are delivered or accessed.
• You can find out more about the proposal here and read the letter here
The Proposed Four New Unitary Areas
• More information is available at lancashirelgr.co.uk
North Lancashire (North Lancashire Council): Covers Lancaster, Preston, and Ribble Valley. Morecambe will be part of this
West/Fylde Coast (Fylde Coast Council): Covers Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre
East/Pennine Lancashire (Pennine Lancashire Council): Covers Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, and Rossendale
South Lancashire (South Lancashire Council): Covers Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire