The two MPs representing Burnley and Pendle have given a mixed response to the government’s pause on a plan that would have seen the two local councils merge with others, despite widespread local opposition.

Burnley MP Oliver Ryan and his Labour colleague Jonathan Hinder, who represents Pendle and Clitheroe, reacted differently to news this week that the government had put the brakes on plans to merge Burnley and Pendle Borough Councils with Rossendale, Hyndburn and Blackburn with Darwen.

The plans, as part of the Local Government Reorganisation, had previously been met with cross-party opposition from local leaders who felt the new proposed Pennine Lancashire Council would not have been financially viable.

Mr Ryan welcomed the pause, stating he had always been opposed to the plans, while Mr Hinder described the decision as “frustrating”.

The government has paused the Local Government Reorganisation which would have seen Burnley and Pendle Councils merge with Rossendale, Hyndburn and Blackburn with Darwen

placeholder image — The government has paused the Local Government Reorganisation which would have seen Burnley and Pendle Councils merge with Rossendale, Hyndburn and Blackburn with Darwen

Mr Ryan said: “I’m glad the government has paused to review the announced Local Government Reorganisation of Lancashire. I wasn't happy with the deal we got and made no secret of that, not least because it meant putting Burnley in with Blackburn.

“I’ll be using this review to push again for the ‘Five Unitary Model’ and a more financially sustainable council model for Burnley, Padiham and Brierfield. Burnley Council has led on this, and while we may all be different parties, we've spoken together.

“This all means though that the elections to the new authority won't be held in 2027 now, but in 2028, when we'll also hopefully elect Lancashire's first Mayor – and get all the money and power over our own destiny that comes with.”

Burnley and Pendle local government shake-up faces fresh uncertainty

Speaking in a debate in the House of Commons with Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner, Mr Hinder expressed frustration at the pause.

He said: “This decision, to put it mildly, is frustrating for everyone in Lancashire who has been involved in the process, and I feel for councillors, council workers and all the service users for having to deal with that frustration.

“What are the legal reasons, so I can go back to my constituents and explain them? Having listened to this statement, I have nothing I can take back to constituents to explain why this happened, when the next step will be, or whether the boundaries that were just announced in July are going to change. Give us something to go back to people with, please.”

In response, Miss Rayner said that she had considered the legal advice provided as part of the judicial review process, and the decision to withdraw the decision reflected updated legal clarity.

She added: “It is a long-standing principle that the government do not publish or comment on legal advice. I have been clear that I want to be able to review these decisions to ensure, as the new Secretary of State, that they are the right ones.

“We will consider the programme in the round in the light of the government’s priorities, as set out in ‘Rewiring the State’, and ministers will meet with Members of this House and will set out decisions at our earliest opportunity.”