Blackpool Council leader hits back at Fylde MP's debt concerns over local government reorganisation

Blackpool Council’s leader has hit back after Fylde MP Andrew Snowden said that the Government’s plan to merge Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre into one unitary authority under local government reorganisation would spark ‘chaos’.

The Fylde MP said: “We don't want this. Fylde and Wyre will be used as cash cows to pay for the £500 million of debt that the Labour party has racked up running Blackpool Council."

But Blackpool Council leader Cllr Lynn Williams has countered, saying: “Comparing Wyre and Fylde’s finances to Blackpool are like chalk and cheese.

“As district councils that aren’t responsible for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) 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 (Local Government Reorganisation) 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.”