Call to delay 2026 local elections due to devolution

Two council leaders say the elections would be a waste of money

The leaders of two Labour controlled councils have called for May's local elections to be scrapped because of Lancashire devolution.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and Hyndburn Council have held meetings to urge the government to postpone the polls in their boroughs because of the planned reorganisation of local government.

Blackburn with Darwen leader Councillor Phil Riley and Hyndburn boss Councillor Munsif Dad have both said holding elections before the shakeup would be a waste of public money.

But both said postponing a local election is a "significant decision which should not be undertaken lightly".

In a report to Blackburn with Darwen Council's ruling executive Riley said the reorganisation of councils under devolution in Lancashire "is likely to continue into 2028 and beyond".

He said based on the current timeline, "it is expected there will be all-out elections to new shadow authorities in 2027, which will then transition to new councils in 2028".

'Political stability'

Riley proposed the elections in Blackburn with Darwen in May 2026 should be postponed "in order to maintain stability, maximise resources and reduce expenditure during this process".

The move would mean extending the term of office for affected councillors, but would bring "political stability", he said.

Riley also said the postponement could save about £200,000.

In his report to Hyndburn Council's ruling cabinet Dad outlined a number of reasons to support the postponement.

He said if the elections went ahead, members would only be elected for short terms, with the process coming at an extra cost to the taxpayer.

He also warned about the risk of disruption and additional pressure on the council and the impact on transition to the new shadow authority.

Both councils back the creation of a Pennine Lancashire Unitary Authority which includes Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale.

This would be part of a three all-purpose council solution for post-devolution Lancashire.