Green Lancaster City councillors petition against government plans to dissolve council

Lancaster City Council is required to submit plans regarding a merge with other Lancashire Council districts by next month.

The merge is a part of the government’s call for new bigger unitary councils.

The integration comes following the publication of the government’s White Paper –  English Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.

Within the new plans is the requirement of new councils to serve a population of around half a million people. In 2023, the mid-year population estimates was 145,559.

This will require that Lancaster City merge with at least two more council districts to meet the population requirements. The newly created city councils will run services such as street cleaning, waste collection, adult social care, and children’s services. These services are currently being provided for by county councils.

The decision has received back lash from councillors who said they will undertake “far reaching and meaningful consultation” with their constituents before reorganisation of city councils is green-lighted. And had further discussed the possibility of calling a referendum.

Yet earlier in February, the government established requirements for local government reorganisation plans are to be submitted by 21st March. This was met with increased backlash from councillors.

Green councillor for both Lancaster City and Lancashire County, Gina Dowding said to the Lancaster Guardian: “‘Local government reorganisation’ has nothing to do with giving residents more say and control over what happens in their area. Creating new councils will be costly, cause disruption to service provision and there is no evidence that this will save money.”

Furthermore, in reaction to the set deadline, Green councillors are calling for Lancaster residents to sign a petition against plans.

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The Green Party recently took control of Lancaster City Council in November 2024. Caroline Jackson was elected council leader backed by Liberal Democrat councillors and an Independent councillor.

The government desires to have unitary councils established as soon as May 2027.

Residents can sign the petition here.