'Vital services must be looked after' says county council leader

The Reform UK leader of Lancashire County Council, Stephen Atkinson - a longstanding opponent of breaking up the two-tier local authority system in Lancashire - says residents and businesses must be "at the very heart" of any overhaul that does now take place.

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After taking charge at County Hall in May, he attempted to secure permission from the government for a legally binding referendum that would have allowed locals to have the ultimate say on the shakeup, but that request was refused.

In a statement to the Post about the survey that was carried out instead, County Cllr Atkinson said: "I would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete these engagement surveys.