Lancaster leaders clash as talks over local government shake-up plans continue

Leaders on Lancaster City Council have clashed as talks continue over plans for a major shake-up of local government.

New Labour group leader, Councillor Jason Wood, called for council leader Caroline Jackson to "step aside" and accused her of being a "naysayer and blocker" of proposals to abolish Lancaster City Council and merge it with other Lancashire authorities.

His comments came during Councillor Jackson's regular leader's report to her fellow councillors, at a meeting at Morecambe Town Hall on Wednesday.

Councillor Wood said: "Given that by your own admission, you're a naysayer and a blocker on this issue...you should step aside and hand over to someone who actually wants to get stuck in and make the best for local government reorganisation for our district, and has the connections to get it done."

Councillor Jackson, from the Greens, replied: "The answer to that, is no. 

"If you want to rush into something, fine. That's what government wants us to do. But rushing into something is not necessarily a guarantee of success.

"We're not naysayers about going into a unitary (authority), we're naysayers about being forced into specific unitaries with no say about it.

"There are plenty of problems that we need to face as a county. But we do not need government to tell us how to do it. We can do it ourselves."

The issue of the proposed changes came up many times during Wednesday's meeting, as Lancaster City Council works towards a March 21 deadline for submitting initial ideas for a reorganisation - with full proposals due by November.

The Labour government wants to change the structure of local government around the UK, so that existing councils cease to exist and are replaced by new unitary authorities that are responsible for the delivery of all local government functions in the area they serve.

Under the proposals, the government wants to merge areas where there are currently two tiers of local authority - smaller district and larger county councils - in a bid to streamline services. This includes Lancashire.

A merger between Lancaster, Ribble Valley and Wyre, or between Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley, are among the options on the table.

Lancaster City Council has formed a cross-party working group to discuss the issue, led by Councillor Jackson.

The Greens have opposed the Labour government's approach to shaking up local councils, launching a petition to ‘Stop the government’s rush to abolish Lancaster City Council’.

Councillor Jackson, speaking on Wednesday, said: "I don't think it's a good idea, because the effect on us is to divert us from what we are doing as a District, and means we have a less financialy secure future.

"We have been fortunate that other councils want to talk to us, about moving into an arrangement with them."

Councillor Colin Hartley, of Labour, later asked what the leader's personal preference would be for joining with other councils, from the options available.

"We should look at the options that are possible and there are only a couple, really," replied Councillor Jackson.

"We should get the data and evidence. Ribble Valley and Preston and ourselves is one option.

"We have had suggestions that Ribble Valley, Wyre and ourselves could be an option.

"We've also had a suggestion that we should go into what has been called in the past a Greater Blackpool (council)

"We all have preferences. We definitely can't amalgamate into Chorley and West Lancashire.

"I think we do need to speak to our residents as well, so they get to know what the options are. It's a big thing for all of us and all our neighbours as to where we go, what we're called, and how we feel about that.

"My current personal preference? This is not about me. I know I'm the leader, but it's about the best decision that we can come to together.

"Some people are into this 'big I am' leadership. I'm not. My preference is that we get the best for our residents, within the geography of Lancashire."

Councillor Robert Redfern (below), of Labour, then asked: "Whoever we join up with, do we take our (financial) reserves with us, or do we spend them? It's our money. We should spend it."

Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox (below) of the Greens, cabinet member for finance, then said: "We have discussed about playing to the whistle. We carry on, business as normal, until any decision takes place.

"There is not going to be a policy of spending reserves. We will continue to operate as we would do, if local government reorganisation was not to happen. We don't know if it's going to happen yet. Policy can change."

After the meeting, Councillor Wood, who represents Scotforth East in Lancaster, said: "The Green Party and new administration are floundering.

"The new Cabinet are woefully out of their depth and not up to the challenges facing the council and our residents.

"When the government has asked for real proposals on local government reorganisation, the Green Party response was to wring their hands, complain, go to lots of meetings, pretend it wasn’t happening and invent potential outcomes to scaremonger residents – but offer no solutions and not propose anything to advance the needs of local people and our district.

"Local Government Reorganisation is happening, and Lancaster Labour and I will work with other Labour groups across Lancashire to lobby government with a proposal that will deliver the best outcome possible for Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth and our rural villages. This is too important to leave to the Green Party dithering. Labour will lead the way on this issue.”

Councillor Wood succeeded former council leader Phillip Black who decided not to seek re-election after serving his two-year term as Labour leader.

Councillor Wood said: “Councillor Phillip Black was a calm, considerate and confident leader of both local Labour and Lancaster City Council. His approach has been logical, insightful and he has a clear understanding of all the issues facing the Council. Cllr Black’s experience and dedication will be greatly missed from the leadership role.”

Councillor Black said: “Like my Labour colleagues, I fully support and have complete confidence in Councillor Wood. He has exceptional political instincts and is highly regarded for his knowledge of council rules, employment matters and trade unions, and relationships with government. Jason is best placed to take the Labour Group and positive Labour vision forward.”

The Green and Labour groups on Lancaster City Council fell out last year, after previously forming a coalition cabinet alongside the Liberal Democrats.

The council cabinet is now made up of an alliance of Greens - the largest group on the council - alongside Liberal Democrat and Morecambe Bay Independent councillors. Labour have formed an opposition group

A report produced ahead of Wednesday's meeting, said: "A number of potential options are being considered by different councils within Lancashire at present.

"Not all options have the support of all or even a majority of councils at this stage but the potential list includes - a single unitary, variations on two unitaries, variations on three unitaries, variations on four unitaries, and variations on five unitaries.

"The fact that there is a multitude of options of different sizes and configurations reflects the range of local views and there are mixed views on which ones best meet the government's criteria.

"And, in some areas, it may also be the case that ‘no change’ would be the preferred option.

"For the next few months the task will be to work (as a council and with the 14 other councils in Lancashire) through the range of options which may be presented, identifying and appraising a short list of potential options before any detailed submissions for the November 2025 timeline.

"It should be noted that nothing in the interim response for March 21 2025 will be binding on any signatory, in any way."

A Combined County Authority (CCA) has just been formally established for Lancashire. Its constituent members are Lancashire County Council. Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council. 

Read more: Deadline looms as petition to 'stop rush to abolish Lancaster City Council' hits 800 signatures - Beyond Radio

Opposition mounts to plans to scrap Lancaster City Council in shake-up of local government - Beyond Radio