‘Burnley not a Blackburn suburb’ says its council boss.
“Burnley is not a suburb of Blackburn,” the borough’s leader has stated, urging locals to sign a petition rejecting any new major local authority that includes both towns.
Independent Councillor Afrasiab Anwar spoke out when the document, titled ‘We say NO to Burnley and Pendle being amalgamated with Blackburn’, surpassed 1,100 signatures.
The petition comes as the government surveys on the future structure of local government in Lancashire following the county’s devolution, which could include a powerful elected mayor.
Ministers intend to replace the present 15 councils with new huge all-purpose authorities, effectively abolishing the unitary Blackburn with Darwen council, Lancashire County Council, and Burnley district.
According to a public survey on the plans, the most likely choices include merging Blackburn, Darwen, and Burnley, as well as other municipalities in East Lancashire, into a larger unitary authority.
However, since the big shake-up of local government was initially envisaged, Burnley Borough Council’s ruling independent group has been adamantly opposed to any alternative that would combine it, Blackburn, and Darwen.
Cllr Phil Riley, the boss of Blackburn with Darwen, has denied Cllr Anwar’s assertions. (Image: NQ.) Cllr Anwar stated: “To be honest, Burnley and Blackburn have never been bashful about their rivalry.
“Whether it’s football, tradition, cotton, or local pride, both communities have passionately defended their identities over generations. “So, who exactly thinks it’s a good idea to combine us into a single’super council’? Because it’s not the folks that live here.
“This plan is based on the government’s Local Government Reorganisation programme, which attempts to streamline councils by combining smaller authorities into larger unitary organisations.
“In theory, it is about efficiency. In fact, it risks resulting in huge, distant organisations that are less responsive to local needs and more prone to political detachment.
“More recently, the current leadership of Blackburn, Hyndburn, and Rossendale has supported the concept of uniting their boroughs with Burnley, Ribble Valley, and Pendle into a single super authority.
“Take that in: six distinct boroughs, each with its own identity, history, and priorities, rolled into one bureaucratic behemoth.” It’s not imaginative; it’s ludicrous. “Burnley is not a suburb of Blackburn.” And Blackburn is not a late addition to Burnley’s squad.
“We are proud towns with unique histories, difficulties, and goals. Merging us into a mega-authority risks isolating decision-makers from the people they are supposed to serve. “This is not Burnley vs. Blackburn.
It’s Burnley and Blackburn against a lousy idea. “If you care about keeping Burnley and Blackburn independent, sign the petition today and make your voice heard.” Cllr Phil Riley, the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, stated:
“The government believes that unitary councils are more effective than the current two-tier structure, which covers the majority of Lancashire, including Burnley.
“Blackburn with Darwen became a unitary council in 1998, and we believe it is worth spreading the benefits across the whole of East Lancashire, and we and other local councils believe that a united East Lancashire is the best option to make the most of this opportunity to collectively develop and improve the lives of local residents.”
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