The Labour Government has announced that Chorley Borough Council will be scrapped and merged with South Ribble and West Lancashire Borough Councils.
Together they will also take on the role of functions carried out by Lancashire County Council, that will also be scrapped.
The new council with 72 councillors, so far called South Lancashire Council, will come into effect in May 2028, and in the meantime a new Shadow Council will be elected next year in May 2027. Elections will be held on existing Division boundaries and anticipated to have three councillors each - but subject to confirmation.
Chorley's Divisions:
- Chorley Central
- Chorley North
- Chorley South
- Chorley Rural East
- Chorley Rural West
- Clayton with Whittle
- Euxton, Buckshaw and Astley
- Hoghton with Wheelton
Existing councillors who would other face election next year will have their term extended until May 2028.
Elsewhere across the County, three other 'Super Councils' are also being formed.
- Fylde Coast - comprising of Blackpool Borough Council, Fylde Borough Council and Wyre Borough Council.
- North Lancashire - comprising of Lancaster City Council, Preston City Council and Ribble Valley Council
- Pennine Lancashire - comprising of Blackburn and Darwen Council, Burnley Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, Pendle Borough Council and Rossendale Borough Council.
Council reorganisations have taken place before. The primary difference is that the current Labour government's round of local government reorganisation (LGR) represents a mandatory, comprehensive national shift, whereas the previous Conservative government's approach was purely voluntary.
