South Lancashire (unitary authority area)
South Lancashire | |
|---|---|
Future unitary authority area | |
 | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 53°39′14″N 2°38′00″W / 53.6539°N 2.6332°W | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | England |
| Region | North West |
| Ceremonial county | Lancashire |
| Incorporated | 1 April 2028 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Unitary authority |
| • Body | South Lancashire Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 255.8 sq mi (662.6 km2) |
| Population (2024 estimate) | |
• Total | 358,947 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) |
South Lancashire is a future unitary authority area that is planned to be established on 1 April 2028 and to occupy the south-west of the ceremonial county of Lancashire, England.[1][2] It will replace the current non-metropolitan districts of Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire,[3] and its unitary council will provide all of the local government services currently provided by Lancashire County Council and the district councils. Elections to a shadow South Lancashire Council are expected to take place in May 2027.[4]
The new area will border the other three new Lancashire unitary authority areas; Fylde Coast and North Lancashire to the north, and Pennine Lancashire to the east.[5] It will border the county of Greater Manchester to the south-west, and Merseyside to the south and west. Settlements within the district include Bamber Bridge, Chorley, Leyland, Ormskirk and Skelmersdale.[6][7] The population of the new area is approximately 358,947.[5]
Background
South Lancashire is being created as part of a wider reorganisation of local government in England that is intended to introduce single-tier local government in fourteen areas.[8]
For local government purposes, Lancashire currently comprises a non-metropolitan county, itself divided into twelve non-metropolitan districts, and the two unitary authority areas of Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen. In Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen all local government services are provided by their respective councils, whereas in the rest of the county the provision of services is divided between Lancashire County Council and the twelve district councils.[9][10][11][12]
Local government in Lancashire will be reorganised by abolishing all of the areas and councils mentioned above and replacing them with four new unitary authority areas, the councils of which will provide all local government services.[12]
Governance
It will be run by South Lancashire Council, which will comprise 72 councillors.[13]
Parishes
Chorley, Leyland, Ormskirk, Bamber Bridge/Walton-le-Dale and the Skelmersdale area are currently unparished, the rest of the area is parished.[7] South Ribble council has suggested creating parishes in the unparished area of the borough.[14]
References
- ↑ "Local government reorganisation: decision letter to Leaders in Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool" (PDF). gov.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
- ↑ "Government announces Local Government Reorganisation decision for Lancashire". Lancashire County Council News. 16 July 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "Lancashire council leaders react to local government shake-up". BBC News. 16 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "Government announces Local Government Reorganisation decision for Lancashire". Lancashire County Council News. 16 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- 1 2 Faulkner, Paul (23 July 2026). "Name of new council for Lancaster and Morecambe approved by government". Lancaster Guardian. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- ↑ "Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Figure 1". Office for National Statistics.
- 1 2 "Ordnance Survey". www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk.
- ↑ "14 more areas to benefit from streamlined local services". GOV.UK. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1972/2039
- ↑ "The English Non-Metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1973/551
- ↑ "The Lancashire (Boroughs of Blackburn and Blackpool) (Structural Change) Order 1996". legislation.gov.uk. 18 July 1996.
- 1 2 "Understand how your council works". GOV.UK. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "Local government reorganisation: implementation letter to Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool chief executives" (PDF). Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ Faulkner, Paul (21 July 2026). "Why these South Ribble residents might want hyper-local councils when borough is axed". Lancashire Evening Post.