Lancaster and Morecambe council house tenants ‘need to be included’ in talks ahead of county shake-up
People living in council housing across the Lancaster and Morecambe district need to be involved in ‘meaningful talks’ about future arrangements and regeneration under a major shake-up of councils.
That is the view of some Lancaster city councillors, as the area moves towards a merger with Preston and Ribble Valley councils in 2028.
The new unitary council for ‘North Lancashire’ is yet to be officially named and many details need to be clarified, including what property and land it will own and how it will be structured.
Currently, Lancaster City Council owns and maintains more than 3,600 council homes and more than 100 housing or communal blocks.
It is in a different situation from neighbouring Preston and Ribble Valley councils, which transferred many of their former council homes to housing associations in the past – although they are also active in new affordable homes projects.
The city council wants to build new homes at the former Skerton High School site and to regenerate the 1960s Mainway estate.
But the clock is ticking and some housing plans have been delayed or faced uncertainty in recent years.
Housing was raised at Lancaster City Council in an update on the government’s 2028 shake-up of Lancashire councils.
In questions to the leader, Labour’s Coun Chris Hanna asked: “Lancaster is pretty unique in having its own council housing. But how can tenants and residents be properly reassured about how decisions will be taken in the future – and particularly with things like neighbourhood regeneration?
“Will residents see options and be in discussions throughout the process leading up to the new council – so they understand any implications and have meaningful opportunities to contribute?”
Council leader Caroline Jackson – who has previously been involved with talks about the 2028 council mergers along with other Lancashire council leaders – said: “West Lancashire Council also has its own stock of housing and I have asked questions about that. I think we need to take housing topics to the [newly formed] working group.”
West Lancashire Council has its own company, Tawd Valley Developments, which has built new homes in recent years – but West Lancashire is to merge with Chorley and South Ribble, not Lancaster.
Factors in housing projects include potential funding from councils and government, and whether a council can deliver new homes itself or needs to to work with others.
Ribble Valley Council recently bought some new affordable flats while Preston has became a registered social housing provider, similar to a housing association.
Preston is looking to buy some brand new homes and make them available for affordable rent.
Speaking about the countdown to 2028, Coun Jackson added “We are two years off from the new authority starting. But a ‘shadow authority’ will be elected in May 2027 and will technically be the decision maker in that period.
“In my view, the work to shape that authority starts now. I’m not sure everyone would agree but my view is the new shadow authority will be dependent of some of the work we do now.”