Petition: We say NO to Burnley & Pendle being merged with Blackburn. Say NO to Lancashire Super Councils 

We, the undersigned, call on all Lancashire councils to challenge the government’s proposed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme and get the best results for our residents. Think outside the box and challenge the status quo.

LGR as is currently being pursued via the “super council” model is not the answer. The people of Lancashire deserve councils that are local, accountable, and connected to their communities, not disconnected “quasi regional mega-councils” that centralise power and weaken local voices.

The government’s “super council” model risks repeating the mistakes of the failed NHS mergers, which have been disastrous for patients. Bigger is not better. Evidence shows that unitary councils with populations of 250,000–350,000 perform better and are more efficient. The proposed 500,000 population benchmark is a disaster waiting to happen.

We demand that Lancashire Councils:

Provide clear evidence of where real efficiency savings will come from. 

Justify why they believe these proposals are a good idea for working people and local businesses.

Stand up for local identity, not allow forced mergers that erode it.

We say NO to:

Burnley and Pendle being merged with Blackburn.

Chorley and South Ribble being merged with Preston.

Two proud Lancashire cities, Preston and Lancaster, being forced into one.

All Lancashire councils should lobby government to ensure that they are properly funded rather than allow them to decimate localism in pursuit of marginal gains which may never be achieved. These plans risk making matters worse by creating distant, bureaucratic super-councils instead of responsive local authorities.

It is time for government to listen to the voice of local people. If Lancashire is to move towards unitary councils, they should be smaller, local, and truly representative of communities, not remote mega-authorities.

We urge Lancashire leaders to stand up for our towns, our cities, and our people. Say NO to super councils.