Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge
We will soon be taking part in an LGA (Local Government Association) Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC), delivered under the LGA’s updated framework for sector‑led improvement.
The CPC is an important improvement tool for councils. A team of peers, elected members and senior officers from other councils will visit us to understand how we are performing.
The government now expects every council to complete a peer challenge at least once every five years, with findings published and recommendations acted upon.
During the challenge, peers will provide an external assessment of how we are performing across five core areas of good corporate governance:
Local Priorities and Outcomes
Organisational and Place Leadership
Governance and Culture
Financial Planning and Management
Capacity for Improvement
We are currently preparing by developing a self‑assessment (our position statement) and arranging interviews and focus groups for the peer team.
The four‑day on‑site visit will take place from 17 to 20 March 2026, during which peers will meet with our elected members, staff, partners, residents and other stakeholders.
At the end of the week, we will receive verbal feedback, followed by a written report with recommendations for an improvement action plan. A formal progress review will then take place around six months later.
Keep an eye out for further updates.
Local Government Reorganisation
We submitted our reorganisation proposals to the government at the end of November 2025, marking the first major milestone in the Local Government Reorganisation process.
A statutory consultation with residents and stakeholders is expected to take place in February. The feedback gathered during this consultation will help shape the next stage of the process, enabling the Minister to decide which option should move forward and to outline what the new unitary councils and their footprints could look like.
We expect confirmation of the preferred option for Lancashire by summer 2026. If approved, shadow authority elections could take place in May 2027, with the new councils assuming full responsibilities from 1 April 2028.
To support colleagues through these changes, we will be running a series of staff briefing sessions in the coming weeks, focused on Local Government Reorganisation. These sessions will provide an overview of the latest developments, what they mean for our organisation and offer an opportunity to ask questions.
If you would like to explore the topic further or ask questions, more information is available on the Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation intranet site and the staff area of the county council website.
Senior Management updates
We'd like to welcome Nabeel Chaudhry, our new Director of Children’s Services Reform and Professional Standards, who joined us on 12 January. Nabeel brings extensive professional expertise and will lead the implementation of the Families First reform agenda.
A qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, Nabeel joins us from his previous role as Assistant Director, where he provided both operational and strategic leadership across a wide range of local authority children’s social care services.
Nabeel held several senior management positions, with experience spanning help and protection, cared‑for children, care‑experienced young people and the safeguarding partnership. We’re excited to have him on board as we continue strengthening our support for children, families and young people across Lancashire.
We are also pleased to announce that Vicky Willett, will join us in March as our new Director of Strategy and Transformation.
Vicky is a highly experienced strategic leader with a strong background in transformation, corporate strategy and organisational reform across local government and health sectors. She has a proven track record in driving system‑wide change, embedding digital innovation and delivering high‑performing, data‑driven services.
Vicky’s career includes senior roles such as Director for Policy and Transformation at St Helens Council, where she led major digital and customer transformation programmes, delivering significant efficiencies and service improvements.
Previously, she served as Director for Change and Delivery for Chorley and South Ribble Councils, overseeing shared service integration and economic growth strategies.
We look forward to the expertise, leadership and fresh perspectives that both Nabeel and Vicky will bring to Lancashire.
Lancashire due to host a major part of the Tour de France
We are thrilled to announce that Lancashire has been invited to host a significant section of Stage 2 of the 2027 Tour de France.
The Tour de France is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, with billions of viewers worldwide.
Around 110 km of the route will run through Lancashire – including all the stage’s classified climbs.
This is a fantastic chance to showcase Lancashire’s landscapes, towns and communities on an international stage.