Ribble Valley could hold a referendum on council mergers. Vote legality and costs are being questioned.
The government wants new councils with at least 500,000 people. The Ribble Valley chief said to consider all of Lancashire. They can’t only think about their local area. They might hold a special meeting.
They will discuss all the possible choices. Last year, the council considered a vote if changes threaten the borough. A council leader asked if the new work covers the potential vote. The chief said the government wants many talks before final ideas.
A vote is not required. The government will give feedback on plans. Another councillor sought clarification on voting powers. The chief explained local referendums are allowed. However, they might need legal advice on government policy votes.
He mentioned a referendum’s potential cost: £80,000 to £200,000. Council finances matter for changes. The ability to raise taxes is important during decisions. The chief noted many small houses exist in lower tax brackets.
He said bigger houses are scarce. Many councils charge high tax rates because of this situation. Four local councils are at the very top for council tax rates! Creating a new authority will be tough.
The costs must work for any merger ideas. Several councillors suggested a working group. The group would resemble the council’s budget group. It will include Conservative, Labour, Liberal, and Independent councillors.