Council leaders are pushing for an alternative name for a new local authority covering the Lancaster and Morecambe District.
Lancaster City Council wants the new council to be called Lancaster, Preston & Ribble Valley - a wish echoed by Preston City Council and Ribble Valley Borough Council.
But the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is provisionally using the name 'North Lancashire' for the new unitary authority.
And Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, has backed this, saying the Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley name is "overly complicated".
It was announced in July that the Government had confirmed its preferred option for LGR (Local Government Reorganisation) with the existing Lancaster City Council area joining forces with Preston and Ribble Valley.
This is part of Lancashire-wide changes creating four new council areas and abolishing the county's 15 existing local authorities in less than two years’ time - subject to Parliamentary approval.
This will effectively merge large areas of the county that were previously covered by separate councils.
The current Lancashire councils will continue to operate until March 31 2028 when all of them – including Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council – will cease to exist.
A joint statement issued today by Lancaster City Council, Preston City Council and Ribble Valley Borough Council said they had "achieved a consensus that an alternative name should be put forward for consideration which is Lancaster, Preston & Ribble Valley".
Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council (below), said: "The proposed name is one that people will immediately recognise and reflects our desire to create a strong, recognisable identity from the outset.
"It was particularly important to us that Lancaster's heritage and historic role as the county town of Lancashire was recognised. Preston and Ribble Valley also have rich histories, proud identities and huge potential of their own.
“The proposed name reflects the area's shared heritage while recognising the distinctive contribution each place makes to the new authority.
"Whether you're a resident, business owner, investor or visitor, the name gives a clear sense of who we are and the area we represent, and that can only help us promote the area and make the most of future opportunities."
Councillor Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council said: “As a working title, North Lancashire was fine temporarily, but it is important that we have a name that reflects the significant importance of place and the combined, culturally rich and historic landscape of the three districts.
"It is crucial that we retain strong national recognition as the new unitary authority as a key visitor destination that is instantly identifiable, and to remain a strong and leading economic driving force for Lancashire.”
Simon Hore, Ribble Valley Borough Council leader said: “While it’s a bit of a mouthful, it is a more accurate and descriptive name and one that reflects all the partners fairly.
"Throughout the LGR process Ribble Valley Borough Council has made it clear that one of our priorities was to ensure that Ribble Valley’s identity was protected and remained strong. Ribble Valley has built a growing reputation, particularly when it comes to tourism and the rural economy, and is known throughout the country.
“Retaining Ribble Valley’s name, and those of the other historic and economic centres involved, ensures strong geographic recognition within Lancashire, the region, across the UK and beyond. North Lancashire feels nebulous and undefined. It was used as a ‘holding title’ awaiting a more accurate and descriptive name.”
Earlier this week, Lizzi Collinge (below) said: "I have written to our two Lancashire local authorities to express my dissatisfaction with the reported proposed name 'Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley' for the new unitary authority.
"The name is overly complicated and would leave communities such as Morecambe, Carnforth and the Lune Valley feeling overlooked and on the periphery.
"I believe something simpler, like North Lancashire, would be a more inclusive and geographically accurate name for the new authority."
Beyond Radio has contacted Lancashire County Council for comment on the proposed new name.
Lancaster Town Hall
The new unitary authorities across the county will provide all council services in their area.
They will formally come into being on April 1 2028, but will exist in shadow form from May 2027 when their first elections will be held.
This change is part of the Government’s plan set out in its 2024 White Paper to abolish two-tier (county and district) councils and replace them with unitary authorities to deliver all local services.
The Government said this was to devolve more powers to regions and streamline local governance by delivering all services in one place.
Currently Lancashire County Council provides services like social care, education, roads, and libraries; and District councils (e.g. Lancaster City Council) manage bin collections, planning, housing, and leisure.
The proposed names for the other three unitary councils in Lancashire are:
· South Lancashire – Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire
· Fylde Coast – Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
· Pennine Lancashire – Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale.
The names of the new councils will be included in a legal document called the Structural Changes Order.
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