We don’t support proposed merger with Preston, say Blackpool’s Tory councillors

Blackpool’s Conservative councillors say proposals by the authority to merge with Preston would be a mistake.

At a special meeting last night to discuss the proposed reorganisation of local authorities, the Labour leaders of Blackpool gave a presentation in support of their chosen merger.

All councils are being asked by the Government to choose various options to form a smaller number of larger councils, which would see different authorities merge together.

They are all due to send their recommendations to the Government by November 28.

Blackpool favours an option to combine with Fylde, the west side of Wyre and Preston, arguing that this tallies most closely with the way people on the Fylde coast live their lives.

But the Conservatives would prefer to see a version which includes Lancaster instead of Preston, saying a combined coastal authority would be a better fit.

Cllr Paul Galley, leader of Blackpool’s Conservative opposition, told the meeting the process felt rushed and added: “Blackpool, is so unique – trying to merge a coastal town like ours with industrial Preston doesn’t make sense.

“Why are we allowing this to happen with a whimper and not a shout?”

Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of B;lackpool Council, replied: “This is not rushed, this is not a new discussion, it has been talked about for years.

“Yes, we’d like to retain our own council for our own people but it’s pointless sticking our heads in the sand and not engaging, we have to look at all the solutions.”

Conservative member, Cllr Julie Sloman, said: “Lancaster is our County Town and I am sure although they share borders with Cumbria they far from consider themselves as anything other than Lancastrians and here in Blackpool we are proud Lancastrians.

“I’m personally proud of all Blackpool has achieved since it became a Unitary Authority and whoever gets to partner with Blackpool actually wins the jackpot in some respects because although they say they don’t want our debts, but they will happily accept our assets, but they will be working with a town who knows what it is to be a Unitary Authority and be responsible for its own services.

“I said it was a sad day we were having the discussion, not because I don’t want us to continue going forward under our proud motto of progress, but sad because I know how hard our predecessors in the chamber fought to get us Unitary Status  and gave us back our own identity rather than just being a part of a County.

“We don’t want to be swallowed up again. I really feel strongly we should be looking at the potential for developing something new and vibrant from this rather than tinkering around with established urban areas just for financial reasons.”

Another Conservative member, Cllr Gerard Walsh, said: “This is a smokescreen to create a Red Coast, stand up and be honest.”

But Labour member Alistaire Humphreys replied that the discussion had not been party- political until Cllr Walsh’s comments. He said it was about local councils working together.

In an earlier statement. Cllr Williams said: “Ours is a proposal that works for all of Lancashire – we have not just focussed on our own area, as many of the other proposals have. It means that our Combined County Authority would be led by four strong authorities where growth across the county can benefit all areas.

“Disparate voices will be heard at a strategic level, cities, towns, coastal, rural, urban, big business and small, farms and factories.

“This system allows everybody to better control skills too, with quality higher education establishments in each of the four councils.”

Blackpool Council’s Executive Committee will ratify the council’s choice before sending the statement to the Government on November 28.