Burnley’s council leader has called on councillors to mobilise residents against joining a new authority with Blackburn with Darwen under government reorganisation plans.

The government last week launched the exercise to gauge public opinion in the county on five different proposals to replace the current set up of 15 councils into larger all-purpose ones.

Coun. Afrasiab Anwer told Wednesday’s full meeting of Burnley Council it was now up to all councillors to promote its preferred solution of five unitary authorities including one just for Burnley, Rossendale and Pendle.

He said: “The consultation is going out and I think every single on of us has a bit of a duty to get out there to inform our residents and tell them that’s the one that we’re pushing.

placeholder image — Burnley Council leader Afrasiab Anwar

“As politicians every single one of us voted to keep Burnley separate from Blackburn.

“Now’s our opportunity to get the message out there and do all we can.”

The consultation closes on Thursday, March 26, at 11-59pm.

Across Lancashire there are currently 15 councils, including Lancashire County Council, two unitary councils (Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool) and 12 district councils including Burnley.

The government asked for proposals that would replace these with fewer, unitary authorities, and five different options have been put forward:

two new councils: one made up of Blackpool, Fylde, Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley and Wyre and the second including Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Chorley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, South Ribble and West Lancashire which has been promoted by Lancashire County Council.
three new councils: one made up of Blackpool, Fylde, Lancaster and Wyre. A second including Chorley, Preston, South Ribble and West Lancashire and a third of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale which has been promoted by Blackburn with Darwen, Fylde, Hyndburn, Rossendale and Wyre councils.
four new councils (version 1) creating authorities made up of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre; Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire; Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale; and Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley which has been promoted by Chorley, Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley, South Ribble and West Lancashire councils.
four new councils (version 2) creating authorities made up of Blackpool, Fylde, Preston and western Wyre; Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire ; Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, southernmost Ribble Valley and Rossendale; and Lancaster, most of Ribble Valley [excluding Clitheroe and southernmost areas] and eastern and northern Wyre which has been promoted by Blackpool Council.
Five new councils which would create unitary authorities made up of Blackpool, Fylde and Preston; Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire; Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley; Lancaster and Wyre and Burnley, Rossendale and Pendle which has been promoted by Burnley and Pendle councils.

The consultation is open to all residents, businesses, voluntary groups, and local organisations. The government will consider consultation responses before making any final decision.