Local service, better value

We're fighting to localise services AND save you money in nationwide first for Lancashire communities

Tailor-made policies and priorities are being drawn up for individual parts of Lancashire in a ground-breaking move that is attracting national attention.

Public transport, education, highways... any local government services could feature in new annual blue-prints, drawn up at local level to shape services for each community.

The Locality Plans will unite the county council and district councils in planning precisely what each authority will do for local people in the coming year.

Lancashire is the only county council in England to introduce this type of plan.

County Councillor Hazel Harding, county council leader, said:

"These plans will be like a contract with the man and woman in the street. We will custom-build services that fit their needs. Area by area.

"Currently no other councils in England are doing what we're doing, which is to clearly tell local people what we will do over the next year to improve their district.

"More importantly, this is a transparent process and means that people can hold us to account to ensure that we honour our commitments."

The plans are being rolled out on a district-by-district basis and are voluntarily agreed with respective district councils. To date these have been finalised in Burnley, Chorley, Pendle, Rossendale and South Ribble. Other Locality Plans are expected to be completed shortly. Plans are at various stages in most districts. Although other councils across the country have developed their own Locality Plans, this is the first time that plans have been agreed in this way between districts and county councils.

The change comes at a time when Lancashire is also strengthening its voice, under the banner of Team Lancashire. This pioneering project involves all council chief executives and political leaders from the county council, districts and the two unitary councils in Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen. Team Lancashire, to be launched in July, has set out an action plan in which all councils will work towards the same goals.

A key aim is to make sure that council services are joined up, more accessible and provide value for money. Opportunities will be explored to share certain services between councils, in a bid to save money or improve services for the public.

Councillor Harding said: "Lancashire is such a diverse county, and we recognise the need to join up, where we can, to improve our services and the quality of life for local people.

"Team Lancashire will also help the area to develop a strong and consistent voice at a regional and national level, to develop the areas where we live and work."