Bay Local Authority in North Lancashire and South Cumbria

Opened the debate

I am concerned about the rushed local government reorganisation process, which limits councils' ability to develop solutions that work across both North Lancashire and South Cumbria. The consultation website is unclear and difficult to navigate, potentially excluding residents from meaningful engagement. I also worry that Lancaster City Council has not been treated as a full participant in the Bay proposal process, despite its strong local support.

Government Response

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I congratulate the hon. Member for Lancaster and Fleetwood on securing this hugely important debate. We strongly welcome her interest in ensuring that her constituents, businesses, local organisations and voluntary groups, and everyone who lives and works in the area, can have a real say about the future of local government reform. All constituents can continue to contribute to the consultation which is still open until 19 April. The Government considers locally led changes to the structure of local government an appropriate means to improve service delivery, save taxpayers money, and enhance local accountability. We are committed to localism and oppose top-down imposition of Government solutions. On October 9 last year, we invited principal councils in Cumbria, North Yorkshire, and Somerset to submit proposals for unitary local government reform. We received four proposals from Cumbrian authorities on December 9: one single unitary council proposal from the county council and three district mergers. One of these, a type C proposal involving Barrow Borough Council, South Lakeland District Council, and Lancaster City Council, includes areas outside Cumbria but is supported by all parties involved. We are consulting affected councils such as Lancashire County Council on this proposal, along with relevant PCCs and fire and rescue authorities. Hundreds of people in Lancaster have already commented on the Bay proposal through the consultation process which meets accessibility guidelines. The Secretary of State will weigh up all representations received during consultation, including those from young people who are encouraged to submit their views. We encourage awareness-raising by councils regarding the consultation. Local elections for Cumbria principal councils were rescheduled to May 2022 due to unitary proposals consideration, avoiding short-term terms and ensuring continuity of service through shadow authorities if needed. After consultations, the Secretary of State will consider proposals based on their ability to improve local government, gain substantial local support, and cover a credible geography. Parliamentary approval would be sought for any implemented proposal in secondary legislation before summer recess, leading to May 2022 elections for shadow or continuing authorities with full unitary authority powers from April 1, 2023.