Lancashire County Council

Last updated

Lancashire County Council
Arms of Lancashire County Council.svg
Lancashire County Council.svg
Type
Type
Leadership
Alan Cullens,
Conservative
since 15 September 2023 [1]
Phillippa Williamson,
Conservative
since 27 May 2021 [2]
Angie Ridgwell
since 3 January 2018 [3]
Structure
Seats84 councillors
United Kingdom Lancashire County Council 2021.svg
Political groups
Administration (48)
  Conservative (48)
Other parties (36)
  Labour (32)
  Liberal Democrats (2)
  Green Party (2)
Length of term
4 years [4]
Elections
First-past-the-post voting
Last election
 6 May 2021
Next election
1 May 2025
Meeting place
Preston County Hall 1.jpg
County Hall, Fishergate, Preston, PR1 8XJ
Website
www.lancashire.gov.uk
Flag of Lancashire County Council Flag of Lancashire County Council.svg
Flag of Lancashire County Council

Lancashire County Council is the local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Lancashire, England. It consists of 84 councillors. Since the 2017 election, the council has been under Conservative control. Before the 2009 Lancashire County Council election, the county had been under Labour control since 1989.

Contents

The leader of the council is Conservative councillor Phillippa Williamson, appointed in 2021, chairing a cabinet of eight. The Chief Executive and Director of Resources is Angie Ridgwell, who was appointed in 2018.

History

Elected county councils were created in 1889 under the Local Government Act 1888, taking over many administrative functions that had previously been performed by unelected magistrates at the quarter sessions. The areas covered by the new county councils were termed administrative counties. Several larger towns and cities were considered capable of providing their own county-level services and so they were excluded from the administrative county, becoming instead county boroughs. When the county council was established in 1889 there were 15 county boroughs in the wider geographic county of Lancashire: [5]

Three more towns were later elevated to become county boroughs: Warrington in 1900, Blackpool in 1904, and Southport in 1905.

The 1888 Act also placed each urban sanitary district which straddled county boundaries in one administrative county, and so Lancashire gained the parts of Ashton under Lyne, Stalybridge, and Warrington which had been in Cheshire, and the parts of Mossley which had been in Cheshire and Yorkshire. Lancashire ceded its part of Todmorden to the West Riding of Yorkshire. [6]

Lancashire was reconstituted under the Local Government Act 1972 with some significant changes to its territory, notably ceding significant areas in the south to Greater Manchester and Merseyside and in the north to Cumbria, whilst gaining more modest areas from Yorkshire to the east. In 1998 Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool were both made unitary authorities, making them independent from the county council. [7]

Governance

Lancashire County Council provides county-level services. District-level services are provided by the area's twelve district councils. [8] Much of the county is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government. [9] [10]

Political control

The county council has been under Conservative majority control since 2017.

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows: [11]

Party in controlYears
Conservative 1974–1981
Labour 1981–1985
No overall control 1985–1989
Labour 1989–2009
Conservative 2009–2013
No overall control 2013–2017
Conservative 2017–present

Leadership

The leaders of the council since 1974 have been: [12]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
Leonard Broughton Conservative 1 Apr 1974May 1981
Louise Ellman Labour May 19811997
John West Labour 1997Jun 2001
Hazel Harding Labour Jun 20017 Jun 2009
Geoff Driver [13] Conservative Jun 200923 May 2013
Jennifer Mein Labour 23 May 201325 May 2017
Geoff Driver Conservative 25 May 20179 May 2021
Phillippa Williamson Conservative 27 May 2021

Composition

Following the 2021 election, by-elections up to October 2023, suspensions and defections the composition of the council was as follows: [14] [15]

PartyCouncillors
Conservative 48
Labour 28
Independent 4
Liberal Democrats 2
Green 2
Total84

The next election is due in 2025.

Elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2017 the council has comprised 84 councillors representing 82 electoral divisions. Most divisions elect one councillor, but two divisions elect two councillors each. Elections are held every four years. [16]

There are sixteen parliamentary constituencies in Lancashire. The Conservative Party holds 11, the Labour Party holds four, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, represents Chorley.

Premises

The council is base at County Hall on Fishergate in Preston. The original part of the building was a courthouse completed in 1882, which also served as the meeting place for the quarter sessions which preceded the county council. The building became the meeting place for the county council on its creation in 1889 and was significantly extended in 1903 and 1934 to provide additional office space. [17]

Future

In July 2020, the county council announced that it wanted to replace itself and the 14 other councils that currently make up Lancashire's complex local government map with three standalone authorities. In September 2020 the county council submitted an outline plan to the government that outlines the proposed new unitary authorities and the areas they would cover. The new authorities would be, Central Lancashire (based on the footprints of Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire councils), North West Lancashire (Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre, Lancaster and Ribble Valley) and East Pennine Lancashire (Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Rossendale, Hyndburn and Pendle). These authorities would be governed by an elected mayor, with a combined authority. The major shake up to Lancashire's council structure is in a bid to gain more funding and power for the people of Lancashire. [18] [19]

County Library

Lancashire adopted the Public Libraries Act, 1919, in 1924. Library services were slow to develop as the average ratable value of the area outside the county boroughs and the other local authorities which had already adopted the act was relatively low. In 1938/39 the average expenditure on urban libraries per head was 1s. 9d., but that on county libraries was only 8 1/4d. (about two fifths of the former amount). Another disadvantage was that government of libraries was by a libraries sub-committee of the education committee of the council (the librarian having to report to the education officer who might not have been sympathetic to libraries). The central administration of the county library is at Preston where there are special services, special collections and staff to maintain a union catalogue. [20]

Biological heritage sites

"Biological heritage sites" are, according to Lancashire County Council, "'local wildlife sites' in Lancashire...(that) are identified using a set of published guidelines." [21] The published guidelines dictate the necessary parameters in which a piece of land can be properly considered a "biological heritage site" by the "(Lancashire) County Council, Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside and Natural England." [21] [22]

Notable members

Related Research Articles

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Lancashire is a ceremonial county in North West England. It is bordered by Cumbria to the north, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire to the east, Greater Manchester and Merseyside to the south, and the Irish Sea to the west. The largest settlement is Blackpool, and the county town is the city of Preston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Ribble</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in England

South Ribble is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Leyland. The borough also includes the towns and villages of Penwortham, Leyland, Farington, Hutton, Longton, Walmer Bridge, Salmesbury, Lostock Hall, Walton le Dale and Bamber Bridge. Many of the built-up areas in the borough form part of the wider Preston built-up area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Fylde</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in England

The Borough of Fylde is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire, England. It covers part of the Fylde plain, after which it is named. The council's headquarters are in St Annes. The borough also contains the towns of Kirkham, Lytham and Wesham and surrounding villages and rural areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Wyre</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in England

Wyre is a local government district with borough status on the coast of Lancashire, England. The council is based in Poulton-le-Fylde and the borough also contains the towns of Cleveleys, Fleetwood, Garstang, Preesall and Thornton, along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. Some of the borough's built-up areas form part of the wider Blackpool urban area. Eastern parts of the borough lie within the Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ribble Valley</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in England

Ribble Valley is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Clitheroe, the largest town. The borough also includes the town of Longridge and numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. It is named after the River Ribble. Much of the district lies within the Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Rossendale</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in Lancashire, England

Rossendale is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Bacup and its largest town is Rawtenstall. It also includes the towns of Haslingden and Whitworth. The borough is named after the Rossendale Valley, the upper part of the River Irwell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyndburn</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in England

Hyndburn is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Accrington, the largest town, and the borough also covers the outlying towns of Clayton-le-Moors, Great Harwood, Oswaldtwistle and Rishton. The borough was created in 1974 and takes its name from the River Hyndburn. It had a population of 80,734 at the 2011 Census. Elections to the council are held in three out of every four years, with one third of the 35 seats on the council being elected at each election. Both the Conservative and Labour parties have controlled the council at different times, as well as periods when no party has had a majority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Lancaster</span> City and non-metropolitan district in England

Lancaster, or the City of Lancaster, is a local government district with city status in Lancashire, England. It is named after its largest settlement, Lancaster, and also includes the towns of Carnforth, Heysham and Morecambe and a wider rural hinterland. The district has a population of 142,162 (2021), and an area of 218.9 square miles (566.9 km2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Chorley</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in England

The Borough of Chorley is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire, England. It is named after the town of Chorley, which is an unparished area. The borough extends to several villages and hamlets including Adlington, Buckshaw Village, Croston, Eccleston, Euxton and Whittle-le-Woods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Burnley</span> Borough in Lancashire, England

The Borough of Burnley is a local government district with the borough status in Lancashire, England. It has an area of 42.7 square miles (110.7 km2) and a population of 94,721 (2021), and is named after its largest town, Burnley. The borough also contains the town of Padiham along with several villages and surrounding rural areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council</span>

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is the local authority of Blackburn with Darwen in Lancashire. It is a unitary authority, having the powers of a non-metropolitan county and district council combined.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Preston, Lancashire</span> City and non-metropolitan district in Lancashire, England

The City of Preston, or simply Preston, is a local government district with city status in Lancashire, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Ribble and has a population of 147,617 (2021). The neighbouring districts are Ribble Valley, South Ribble, Fylde and Wyre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Pendle</span> Borough in England

Pendle is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire, England. The council is based in Nelson, the borough's largest town. The borough also includes the towns of Barnoldswick, Brierfield, Colne and Earby along with the surrounding villages and rural areas. Part of the borough lies within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackpool Council</span>

Blackpool Council is the local authority of the Borough of Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It is a unitary authority, having the powers of a county council and district council combined.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Blackpool</span> Unitary authority area in Lancashire, England

The Borough of Blackpool is a unitary authority area with borough status in the ceremonial county of Lancashire, England. It is named after the seaside town of Blackpool but covers a wider area which includes Anchorsholme, Bispham, Layton, Marton and Squires Gate. As well as the suburbs of Grange Park, North Shore, South Shore and Starr Gate. The borough also forms the core of the wider Blackpool conurbation.

Structural changes to local government in England took place between 2019 and 2023. Some of these changes continue the trend of new unitary authorities being created from other types of local government districts, which was a policy of Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick from 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Lancashire County Council election</span> Election in the United Kingdom

An election to Lancashire County Council took place on 6 May 2021, with counting on 8 May, as part of the 2021 United Kingdom local elections. All 84 councillors are elected from electoral divisions for a four-year term of office. The system of voting used is first-past-the-post. Elections are held in all electoral divisions across the present ceremonial county, excepting Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen which are unitary authorities.

References

  1. ↑ The county borough of Stockport straddled the geographic counties of Cheshire and Lancashire.
  1. ↑ "Council minutes, 15 September 2023". Lancashire County Council. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "Council minutes, 27 May 2021" (PDF). Lancashire County Council. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  3. ↑ Jacobs, Bill (27 October 2017). "Labour all for action on county council 'chaos'". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  4. ↑ "Election timetable in England". GOV.UK. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  5. ↑ Local Government Act 1888
  6. ↑ Youngs, Frederic (1991). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume 2. London: Royal Historical Society. pp. 683–686. ISBN   0861931270.
  7. ↑ "The Lancashire (Boroughs of Blackburn and Blackpool) (Structural Change) Order 1996", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1996/1868, retrieved 22 August 2022
  8. ↑ "Local Authority Profiles". Lancashire County Council. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  9. ↑ "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  10. ↑ "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1972 c. 70, retrieved 22 October 2023
  11. ↑ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "Council minutes". Lancashire County Council. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  13. ↑ "Geoff Driver: Lancashire County Council leader to resign". BBC News. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  14. ↑ Longworth, Laura (27 October 2023). "Burnley Green Party successfully defends seats on Burnley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council". Burnley Express. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  15. ↑ "Your Councillors". council.lancashire.gov.uk. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  16. ↑ "The Lancashire (Electoral Changes) Order 2016", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 2016/1069, retrieved 27 October 2023
  17. ↑ "Fishergate Hill Conservation Area Character Appraisal" (PDF). Preston City Council. 1 November 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  18. ↑ "This is why Lancashire County Council wants to scrap itself – and every other local authority in the area". lancasterguardian.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  19. ↑ "Lancashire councils face abolition in shake-up". BBC . Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  20. ↑ Cotton, G. B. (1971) "Public libraries in the North West"; North Western Newsletter; Manchester: Library Association (North Western Branch), no. 116: Libraries in the North West, pp. 5-24 (p. 8)
  21. 1 2 Council, Lancashire County. "Biological Heritage Sites". Lancashire.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  22. ↑ "Lancashire County Heritage Sites Scheme - Biological Heritage Sites - Guidelines for Site Selection" (PDF). Lancashire County Council. ISBN   1 899907 05 X.
  23. ↑ Burke's Peerage , volume 3 (2003), p. 3616
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