What Does a Blackburn-Led Super Council Mean for Pendle?
There’s been a lot of talk recently about big changes to how councils work in Lancashire. The plan is to get rid of the current system, where Pendle Borough Council and Lancashire County Council share responsibilities, and replace it with three or four much bigger councils. For us in Pendle, this would mean a new council ran from Blackburn.
Some people think this would save money and make things simpler, but I’m not convinced it’s the right move for Pendle. If decisions about our area are made from Blackburn, I worry we’ll lose control over the things that matter most to us.
What’s Being Suggested?
At the moment, Pendle Borough Council looks after things like housing, planning, and bin collections, while Lancashire County Council handles schools, social care, and major roads. The new plan would scrap all of that and roll everything into fewer, larger councils.
Pendle, Burnley, Blackburn, Ribble Valley, Hyndburn, Rossendale and Darwen could all be merged into one, with Blackburn as the main base. Supporters of the idea say it would save money by cutting down on overlaps and make it easier for residents to know who’s in charge of what. They also want to create a Lancashire Mayor to represent the county.
Blackburn Doesn’t Represent Pendle
Here’s where I have real concerns. Pendle is nothing like Blackburn. We’re made up of smaller towns and rural areas, with challenges that are completely different.
In Pendle, we need to focus on supporting our small businesses and sorting out transport links. Those might not be Blackburn’s priorities, and I don’t think we’d get the attention or resources we need if decisions about Pendle are made over there.
Losing Our Voice
Right now, Pendle Borough Council is made up of local people who live here and know the area. If you’ve got an issue, you can speak to someone who understands where you’re coming from.
If Pendle becomes part of a bigger council run from Blackburn, we’ll lose that. Decisions about housing, planning, or services could be made by people miles away who don’t really know or care about our community. It would feel like Pendle’s voice was being drowned out.
Pendle is a unique area, and I’m worried a Blackburn-led council would just treat us as an afterthought.
Is It Really Worth It?
The people pushing for this say it will save money, and I get that. Nobody wants to waste money on unnecessary admin. But setting up these super councils will cost a fortune, and there’s no guarantee the savings will actually happen.
Even if they do, is it worth the price of losing control over decisions that matter to us here in Pendle? I don’t think it is.
Let’s Ask the People
This is a massive change, and it shouldn’t happen without the people of Pendle having their say. That’s why I believe we need a referendum before any decision is made.
It’s not right for something this important to be decided behind closed doors. People in Pendle need to be able to vote on whether they want these changes or not.
A Better Solution
Look, I’m not saying the current system is perfect—it’s not. It’s been in place for decades, and it could definitely be improved. But getting rid of Pendle Borough Council and centralizing everything in Blackburn isn’t the answer.
If we’re going to make changes, we need to protect local decision-making. Maybe we could have a new council for East Lancashire but with each area keeping its own say on key issues. Or we could create local committees within a larger council, so decisions about Pendle are still made by people from Pendle.
Conclusion
The idea of these super councils might sound simple, but for Pendle, it’s a real worry. It’s not just about saving money—it’s about protecting our community and making sure we have a say in what happens here.
Pendle shouldn’t be run from Blackburn. Our future needs to be decided by us, not by people who don’t know or understand our area. That’s why I’ll keep fighting for a referendum and for Pendle to keep its voice. Local control matters, and we can’t afford to lose it.
Adam Brierley. Former Campaign Manager for Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson CBE
27th November 2024