A city business group has urged politicians to use ‘common sense’ when it comes to the future shape of a council for Preston.
Preston City Council’s preferred option for a future unitary authority covering the city and a wider area is to link-up with Lancaster and Ribble Valley.
But the Preston Partnership, which represents more than 100 businesses in and around Preston, is urging for a joining with South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire.
Read more: Mapped: Where Preston might sit in a new Lancashire and vote for your preference
Chair of the Partnership, John Chesworth, said: “The feedback from many of Preston Partnership’s members, as well as business leaders we have spoken to across Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire, is that it makes complete common sense for Preston to come together with our neighbours.”
He says a recent survey run by the Partnership of its members, as well as focus groups, had indicated over 90 per cent of businesses felt doing a deal with the neighbours to the south of the Ribble was a better option than looking North and East.
Mr Chesworth said: “The evidence also suggests they can work together. There is already a Central Lancashire Strategic Planning Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) in place and over the past decade, Preston, Chorley and South Ribble have created the Central Lancashire Local plan, which has mapped out a tri-district plan until 2041. The £434million City Deal, created by Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire County Council, is estimated to boost the local economy by £1billion.
“Together, along with West Lancashire’s Local Plan, these areas have supported thousands of new homes, created major employment sites and created confidence at a scale no single district could have achieved alone.
“Through LGR (Local Government Reorganisation), we have an opportunity to create a council that represents the actual economic and social footprint of our area. There is a good working framework there already to build on. The driver behind this process must be what’s best for the people and not what is politically expedient.”
A survey is currently being carried out by all the councils across Lancashire, as well as the county council, to poll how people feel about the future of local government in the county.
The Labour government has made it clear it expects Lancashire to move to a unitary authority model – where there would be a smaller number of larger councils who undertake all services in the way that Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen operate but covering larger geographic areas. District councils such as Preston City Council and the over-arching Lancashire County Council would no longer exist.
Fellow Preston Partnership director Beckie Joyce made it clear the group supports a move to unitary authorities.
She said: “Lancashire needs change. Fewer, more joined-up local authorities will provide a more sustainable Lancashire local government model, open up access to greater funding opportunities and enable more coherent policy making.
“Greater Manchester has shown how local areas can work together for the greater good, while still retaining their individual identities. This region continues to outperform other UK regions. This is the path Lancashire should follow.”
Council sees link up to the North and East as a ‘resilient and sustainable future’
The link-up with Ribble Valley and Lancaster has been defended by the Labour-run city council’s leader Matthew Brown – who recently outlined in an interview with Blog Preston why the council was pursuing the Ribble Valley-Lancaster option.
When asked about the Partnership’s proposal, he said: “A public consultation is currently live where all residents and businesses across Lancashire are being encouraged to have their say and put forward their opinion on the proposals.
“There are various different options on the table and varying different viewpoints and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Preston’s preferred option is one we believe gives the best possible opportunities for Preston and its residents as a unitary authority with Lancaster and Ribble Valley in terms of the criteria set out by government.
“When coming to this conclusion we have taken into account how build a more resilient and sustainable future, tackle long standing inequalities and deliver a fairer future for residents. The Lancashire districts are working on a combined proposal to submit to government on 28 November, on which the government will then make the final decision on how Lancashire will operate in the future.”
A poll run by Blog Preston of readers also indicated support for a link-up with South Ribble and Chorley – with 36.3% of readers saying it was their favoured option.
How do South Ribble and Chorley feel towards Preston?
Blog Preston asked the leaders of both Chorley and South Ribble Borough Council for their views – both councils are Labour-run and already share many council services between them.
Leader of South Ribble Borough Council councillor Matthew Tomlinson said: “We recognise that Local Government Reorganisation is a complex and far-reaching issue—one that requires careful consideration to strike the right balance. Whilst we have not actively sought reorganisation, it is essential that any new authority is designed to be large enough to deliver efficiencies, yet small enough to remain responsive to the needs of local communities.
“At present, several options are being explored. We are working collaboratively with Preston City Council and other partners across Lancashire on a proposal that would see the current 15 councils replaced by four unitary authorities. Our stated preference is for a new authority covering South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire.
“We understand the rationale behind creating fewer, larger councils, however it remains vital that we retain the ability to stay close to our communities to be able to respond effectively to local priorities.”
While Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, was more strident in dismissing any link-up with Preston saying it would become too large a local authority to be workable.
He said: “Local Government Reorganisation represents a significant shift for Lancashire, and it’s vital that any proposals submitted to Government reflect the needs and priorities of our residents. We’ve been working closely with colleagues across the county—including Preston —to shape viable options for change.
“Our publicly stated preference is for a model that creates four unitary authorities, including one that brings together Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire in a reasonably sized council, that covers a sensible area. Unfortunately any proposal for a larger council, such as a configuration that includes Preston, would result in an authority covering an exceptionally large area—greater in population than most councils in England. We believe this would risk undermining the ability to make decisions that are truly responsive to our local communities. It is also important to consider that Lancashire now has a Combined County Authority, which will continue to work alongside councils and businesses to unlock economic growth and opportunity—mirroring the successful models seen in Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region, allowing devolution of monies from central government.
“Whilst we note the view of Preston businesses, we are also engaging with our own business community here in Chorley, many of whom support the smaller council option. A public survey is currently open, giving everyone across Lancashire the opportunity to share their views on the proposed changes. We strongly encourage participation, as the feedback gathered will help shape the final proposals submitted to Government in November.”
How to have your say?
You can find the Lancashire local government survey on the Give My View website.
It runs until Sunday 28 September.
What happens next?
End of November – submission must be made to government about Lancashire’s preferred option
Early 2026 – formal consultation carried out on local government reorganisation
May 2026 – it’s not yet known if local elections will go ahead for the current district councils where due
Summer 2026 – decision made on which option is to be implemented
May 2027 – ‘shadow elections’ take place for the new authorities
April 2028 – the new unitary authorities begin, with the Lancashire Combined County Authority continuing
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