Council welcomes backing for four-unitary model aligned with Lancaster vision

Lancaster City Council has welcomed the Government’s decision to progress a four-unitary model for Lancashire, closely aligned with the city council’s preferred approach.

Under this proposal, the Lancaster district will join with Preston and Ribble Valley to form a new authority.

This model reflects strong existing links between the areas, with both Lancaster and Preston being university cities and major economic centres, and with Lancaster and Ribble Valley sharing extensive rural communities.

To ensure that local identity remains at the heart of future arrangements, the council is undertaking a governance review, including exploring the creation of new parish councils in Lancaster and Heysham.

Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “This is an outcome we have strongly supported, as it reflects the natural connections between our areas. Lancaster and Preston are both vibrant university cities, while our links with Ribble Valley reflect the importance of supporting rural communities and economies.

“This model strikes a balance between scale and local identity, giving us the opportunity to develop high-quality services while remaining close to the communities we serve.

“As we move forward, we will continue to prioritise strong local representation, including considering the creation of parish councils where appropriate.”

The council will now work closely with partners to shape the future authority.

 

Last updated: 16 July 2026