Council may take legal action over devolution plan

Lancashire County Council could take legal action against ministers' plans to shake up local government.

Under devolution plans, the Red Rose county's 15 authorities - including the county council - would be scrapped and replaced in 2028 by four new ones.

The government said last month that the transition timetable was being paused while it checked whether its processes had been lawful.

However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said the county council had already sought clarification on the evidence so it could decide whether to challenge the reforms via judicial review.

Any of the current councils that want to contest the basis for the government's decision have until 16 October to make a claim.

A county council cabinet meeting last week heard that it was trying to establish whether that clock was still ticking in the wake of last month's pause.

Council Leader Stephen Atkinson said: "We've tried to engage constructively with the government – and we tried to build trust with [them].

"I have spoken directly with the Secretary of State and the minister.

"We've always tried to have a respectful conversation, but unfortunately the legal process is driving us against the statutory time limit."

Until the delay was announced last month, the new councils had been set to take over from 1 April 2028.

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