A new 'Pennine Lancashire' unitary authority should be created by merging the six councils in the east of the county, Blackburn with Darwen Conservative group leader, Mike Lee, has proposed.
Cllr Lee told The MJ he was currently drafting a letter to communities secretary Eric Pickles, calling for the change which, based on council estimates from two years ago, could save taxpayers £50m a year. His blueprint would amalgamate Ribble Valley, Burnley, Hyndburn, Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle and Rossendale councils, and split the county council in half.
