Parochialism is preventing Lancashire’s people from getting the true benefit of devolution.
That’s the stark warning from Frank McKenna on the latest episode of the Northern Spin podcast.
A planned local government reorganisation, which would see Lancashire’s 15 existing councils replaced with four unitary authorities, has been paused by the Government.
Lancashire will soon be the only place in the North without an elected mayor – and McKenna has warned that the county faces being left out in the cold.
McKenna, who is the chief executive and group chairman of Downtown in Business, told the Northern Spin podcast: “I think as far as Lancashire is concerned the parochialism that exists there is beyond ridiculous.
“We have people who are more concerned about what their unitary authorities are going to be called rather than what the new authorities are going to be able to deliver for the people of the county.
“I think if you go beyond that you have people who, in my opinion, are trying to protect their own empire.”
Lancashire isn’t due to hold elections for a mayor until 2028 and devolution minister Jim McMahon has told the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) that getting a mayor was a priority for both him and Andy Burnham.
The Northern Spin podcast is sponsored by Sancus Lending UK.
You can listen to the latest episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/northern-spin/id1647252667