Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, alongside 14 other Lancashire councils, has launched a consultation asking residents what kind of future they want for local services — and whether they’d support a major reorganisation of councils across the county.
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At the heart of the proposal is the creation of new, larger unitary councils that would replace existing district, borough, and county councils — including Blackburn with Darwen, which is currently a unitary authority providing all local services.
Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Phil Riley described the changes as “the biggest shake-up of local government in over 50 years.” He expressed strong support for a proposed East Lancashire unitary authority, stating:
“It’s a natural economic area, covers a sensible geography, and brings together communities that are similar in character, needs and history.”
But while the plans promise streamlined services and potential long-term savings, real-world examples from other parts of the UK show there could be significant financial and workforce implications.
🔍 What Could This Mean for Blackburn?
If approved, the changes would mean:
- Blackburn with Darwen Council would no longer exist in its current form.
- Services like bin collections, education, social care, and planning would be managed by a larger, merged authority.
- Decisions affecting Blackburn residents could be made across a wider geography.
And that comes with risks as well as opportunities.
💷 Lessons from Other Councils: What Might it Cost?
The most comparable example is Somerset Council, which merged five councils into one in 2023. Here’s what happened there:
| Metric | Somerset Council (Post-Merger) |
|---|---|
| Redundancy costs | £18.68 million |
| Staff exited | 328 employees |
| Full-time roles cut (FTE) | 562 (approx. 11% workforce) |
| Annual savings | £16.1 million |
| Services affected | Waste, Rights of Way, SEND/inclusion support |
| Payback period | Under 14 months |
While the aim is long-term savings, the up-front costs are significant — and the impact on local jobs and services is real.
Back-office roles, middle management, and administration staff were among the first affected. Even services like waste collection and special education faced reductions in service capacity.
🗣️ Blackburn’s Future — Have Your Say
Residents now have a chance to shape how services are delivered — and where decisions are made. The consultation is open until 28 November 2025.
Blackburn with Darwen Council is encouraging everyone to fill in the survey, especially those concerned about local accountability, jobs, and the impact on services.
📍 Take the survey here: www.givemyview.com/lancashirelgr
Paper, braille, and easy-read versions are available via libraries or by contacting:
📞 0300 123 6701
