Gina Millson

Four new councils are expected to be created in Lancashire, replacing the current 15 local authorities under a government-backed restructuring plan. After council leaders failed to agree on a preferred model, the government selected its own option and will announce the details later. Elections for shadow authorities are scheduled for May 2027, with the new bodies operating alongside existing councils for a year before the current structure is phased out.

Lancashire is set to become the only part of north-west England without an elected mayor until 2028 despite ongoing devolution efforts. Attempts since 2015 stalled due to disagreements among councils and resistance to introducing a mayoral figure. A Combined County Authority was formed in 2025 with limited devolved powers, and discussions about a mayor have resumed. Several local political figures have ruled themselves out of standing, while others remain undecided. Further structural reforms to replace Lancashire’s 15 councils with fewer authorities are expected before progress on the mayoral proposal can be made.

A study by Lancashire County Council found no evidence of a kidney cancer cluster near the former ICI chemical plant in Thornton‑Cleveleys, where PFOA contamination has been detected. Local MP Lorraine Beavers argued the investigation was too narrow and should have examined additional cancers and health impacts linked to the chemicals. Public health director Sakthi Karunanithi said the assessment began with broad cancer screening before identifying kidney cancer as the primary signal. Environmental investigations continue, with some local allotments closed and soil tests identifying several high‑risk properties. AGC Chemicals Europe, the current site operator, stopped using PFOA in 2012.