Tony represented the VCFSE sector at the ‘Future of Lancashire’ conference event at The Samlesbury Hotel.

The event was organised by the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and was extremely well attended by business leaders and representatives from across the region.

Councillors from six councils across the county also attended and sat on a panel offering their views on the reorganisation of local government in the region.

Four options were discussed, a single authority, a two authority model with an east/west split, a three authority model with Preston included in the Central area and a four authority plan.

In the panel discussion, each councillor offered their thoughts with Burnley Council putting forward an additional five area model with the East Lancashire area split.

Blackpool and South Ribble councillors said the matter was still under discussion and it was too early to advise a preferred model, while Blackburn with Darwen expressed an early preference for a four area model.

Representing Preston, Cllr Valerie Wise said they were looking at the three area model though discussions were continuing.

There was a broad feeling that an elected county mayor would be a favourable move as in other areas this set up appeared to attract more funding but a process to do this has not yet been initiated.

If anyone wants any more details of the meeting, please email tonyd@prestoncn.org. We also have available a small number of copies of a special report on ‘Local Government Reorganisation in Lancashire’ which was handed out to meeting attendees.