Lancashire councils ready to deliver elections despite sudden reversal
Preston and Blackburn with Darwen councils confident of smooth polling process
Preston City Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council have assured residents of their readiness to conduct local elections on 7th May, despite the government reversing its decision to cancel the polls last month.
Both councils were among seven local authorities in the county whose elections had initially been postponed due to pending local government reorganisation (LGR) that will reshape governance in the area.
Preparation for a smooth election
Council leaders have confirmed that election planning remained underway, even after cancellations had initially been announced, and express confidence in managing the process effectively.
“We have a highly professional and experienced elections team that has already undertaken extensive planning and preparation for the 2026 elections,” said Adrian Phillips, Preston City Council’s chief executive and returning officer.
Similarly, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s chief executive, Denise Park, noted ongoing preparations: “While the council was supportive of the government’s decision to postpone this year’s local elections, planning and preparation have continued in the background.”
Reinstating elections
The decision to reinstate elections follows a dramatic U-turn by ministers after a legal challenge initiated by Reform UK. Scheduled for 7th May, the polls will elect a third of council seats for each authority.
Park emphasized the council’s commitment to prioritizing election preparations: “We will be ready to deliver a successful election on 7th May. Activity will now ramp up and be prioritised to ensure all arrangements are in place.”
The government has pledged an additional £63 million in "capacity funding" to support areas undergoing LGR—a process aimed at replacing all 15 main Lancashire councils with larger authorities.
Council leaders encourage residents to check their electoral details and validate any postal vote arrangements, acknowledging the importance of accessible elections for local communities.