Council leader demands 2027 mayoral election

The leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Phil Riley, has proposed holding a county-wide mayoral election in 2027, emphasizing that it is key to accessing the financial advantages offered by devolution.

Riley, representing the Labour Party, suggested that Lancashire could follow the example set by nearby regions like Greater Manchester. All 15 councils in Lancashire have submitted plans for local government restructuring, with the devolution scheme expected to be implemented in 2028.

Speaking at the Policy Council this week, Riley highlighted that several recent funding allocations in the national Budget, including 9 billion for affordable housing, are restricted to areas with elected mayors. He stated, "Given that every northern region has a mayor and more counties are considering similar arrangements, it makes little sense for Lancashire not to pursue this opportunity. We should act pragmatically and ensure we can access these benefits."

Riley suggested that the mayoral election could coincide with elections for the newly proposed local authorities.

The proposal received backing from the Conservative group leader on Blackburn with Darwen Council, John Slater, who added, "I want this process to move quickly. The funding directed to combined mayoral regions in the Budget was enormous, and Lancashire is currently missing out."

However, Stephen Atkinson, leader of Reform UK on Lancashire County Council, expressed uncertainty over whether a mayor would indeed guarantee access to extra funds. He noted, "Mayors, as in Manchester, also bring additional council tax charges. Its crucial that residents remain central to any decisions we make."

Author: Aiden Foster