RIBBLE VALLEY Council last night submitted a revised plan for the future of local councils which rejects all three of the Boundary Committee recommendations.

It wants to turn its backs on plans to join with Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn and instead be aligned with Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale councils.

With an overwhelming majority of 22 against nine, the council voted to resubmit its previously rejected proposal for an enhanced Ribble Valley as a preferred choice, with a second option of two unitary authorities - Ribble Valley, Pendle, Burnley and Rossendale forming one authority alongside a second of Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn.

The Government is carrying out a review which would see local authorities reorganised if people vote for a regional assembly in September.

The Boundary Committee has made three suggestions for the public to vote on if the referendum goes ahead:

a county-wide Lancashire unitary authority,

an East Lancashire authority,

or two East Lancashire authorities - one for Burnley Pendle and Rossendale and another for Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

But it is still consulting with local authorities and members of the public before deciding which two options will go on ballot papers in the Autumn.

Authorities must indicate their preferences or submit new proposals but were advised not to submit rehashed proposals that had been rejected earlier in the process.

Liberal Democrat councillor, Stephen Sutcliffe, told last night's extraordinary meeting: "I cannot see the logic of submitting an option already thrown out.

"None of the things on offer are ideal but to propose something that is nonsense seems to me to be foolish."

However, council leader, Coun Chris Holtom, and shadow leader, Coun Frank Dyson, agreed that because its residents had asked for an enhanced Ribble Valley, that must go forward.

Coun Dyson said: "Paramount is what the people we represent feel is most important.

"Without the support of my group I will support the proposed resolution."

Coun Holtom said: "I am satisfied that the council across all parties overwhelmingly decided we should be proactive and put forward two options.

"At our special council meeting in August it was the majority view that we should be proactive and I feel that the people of Ribble Valley would expect us to put forward a case.

"Not to do so would ensure our future was out of our hands."

Both leaders, however, stated that ultimately they would prefer there to be no change and urged everyone in the North West to say no to regional government in the autumn referendum.

During a board meeting for the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust the night before it was also unanimously agreed to reject the first proposal of a countywide unitary authority but the board said it would support options two and three.

A clause, recommended by Coun Holtom was also added saying "we would not favour the breaking up of existing borough councils."