TRIUMPHANT Blackpool Borough Council has finally won its four-year battle for independence, after having the issue for gaining unitary status put before and being granted by the House of Lords yesterday (July 17).

This will now mean services such as education, libraries, highways and social services, currently administered by Lancashire County Council, will come under the direct control of Blackpool Borough Council.

Assistant chief executive of Blackpool council, David Maude, said: "I am delighted the issue has finally been resolved.

"We now look forward to working with county council staff to ensure a smooth transfer of county services to the borough council."

Resigned to the new law now her fight to retain the status quo in Blackpool is over, county council leader Louise Ellman, said: "We have always opposed this because we believe it will cost more and deliver less. Our accountants believe this will cost Lancashire an extra £10million per year.

"As this becomes law, we will be working with Blackpool Borough Council to provide the best services we can to residents. We will try to make the best of a bad job."

However, Blackpool council leader Ivan Taylor is confident change is the best way forward.

He said: "Blackpool desperately needs a unitary authority to tackle the many problems which face our community."

Residents will see real changes in the way council services are run from April 1998, the official take-over date.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.