'Furious' Fylde coast MP launches petition to axe plans to merge Fylde and Wyre Councils with Blackpool
“Everyone who cares about the future of Fylde and Wyre must now come together and oppose this disastrous decision.”
A Fylde coast MP has launched a petition urging the Government to abandon plans to merge Fylde and Wyre with Blackpool as part of a major overhaul of local government in Lancashire.
Conservative MP for Fylde Andrew Snowden is calling on residents across the boroughs of Fylde and Wyre to sign the petition in a bid to send ‘a clear message’ that the proposed merger is not wanted.
The Government has announced plans to abolish Lancashire's existing councils and replace them with four new unitary authorities. Under the proposed structure, Fylde Borough Council and Wyre Borough Council would be combined with Blackpool to create a Fylde coast authority.
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‘Furious’
“I am furious that the Government is forcing Fylde and Wyre into a merger with Blackpool,” said Andrew Snowden MP said. “Residents have overwhelmingly told me that they do not want this. Our councils have made their opposition clear, and I have repeatedly taken that message directly to ministers. Yet the Government has chosen to ignore us.
“Fylde and Wyre must not be used as cash cows to help pay for the £500 million of debt that the Labour Party has racked up running Blackpool Council. There are also serious consequences for housing and planning. Labour has already doubled the number of homes it wants built in our area.
“Under this merger, decisions affecting our towns, villages and countryside would increasingly be dictated from Blackpool, putting even more of our green belt at risk. This plan appears to have the backing of our new Prime Minster, Andy Burnham but that does not mean we should simply accept it.
“I will fight it at every stage but I need residents across Fylde and Wyre to stand with me. Please sign my petition and share it with your family, friends and neighbours. The bigger the response, the harder it will be for the Government to ignore us.
“Whatever our political differences, everyone who cares about the future of Fylde and Wyre must now come together and oppose this disastrous decision.”
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What Blackpool Council leader says
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We know most people in Blackpool don’t want this to happen. There is a real risk of losing Blackpool’s identity in reorganisation. But the government has decided on a process and rather than bury our heads in the sand we worked hard to find what we felt was the best solution.
“I’m disappointed that our proposal hasn’t been brought forward. We put forward a case that was the most difficult to do, by suggesting to change the boundaries at the River Wyre.
“This outcome isn’t the best one to deliver services to people on the Fylde coast in my opinion. Delivering services to people either side of the River Wyre isn’t the best use of public money. However, we are public servants and the decision has been made.
“Our duty now is to make sure that when the new councils come into force in 2028, they are set up with residents at the heart of them.”
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Cllr Williams also addressed concerns raised by Mr Snowden regarding council debt, saying: “Comparing Wyre and Fylde’s finances to Blackpool are like chalk and cheese. As district councils that aren’t responsible for SEND transport, social care or highways, they work on significantly smaller budgets and don’t work on areas that are underfunded by the government.
“Lancashire County Council, who do deliver these social services, have over £1bn of debt that Wyre and Fylde tax payers are currently paying for. Our debt is safely secured against bricks and mortar. It is invested in buildings that either have leases agreed that are making money for the town, are growing in value or have had a value on increasing our economy and getting people into jobs.
“If you compare the regeneration of Blackpool with the rest of the Fylde Coast and across Lancashire, most people will see that money is being invested in transformation that will grow our economy and support our people.
“The LGR decision has been made by government and we will work collaboratively with all parties to make sure that the council that comes next makes sure it serves all of the Fylde coast.”
Residents can sign the petition here: www.andrewsnowden.uk/campaigns/scrap-forced-merger-fylde-wyre-blackpool