A DOUBLE happy Christmas is being celebrated in Blackpool following the Local Government Commission's final recommendations to grant the town unitary status.

The news comes hot on the heels of a £20 million hand-out from the Single Regeneration Budget and means, if rubber stamped by the Government, the resort will have one council responsible for all local services.

And for delighted Blackpool Council leader Ivan Taylor it means the town can look forward to a bright future.

He explained: "This is the best news Blackpool has had for many years. It will enable us to get on with the town's problems and face the future with confidence.

"Coming on top of the SRB announcement, it looks like a double happy Christmas for Blackpool."

In its recommendations, the Commission agreed Blackpool was distinctly different from the rest of Lancashire. Geographically and economically it is not central to its surrounding county and 50 per cent of its 17 million annual visitors come from outside the North West.

Commissioner Norman Warner said: "Inevitably there will be some who will be delighted with our announcement and others who will be disappointed, but I believe the commission's final recommendations are in the best interests of the people who live in Blackpool."

But not everyone agreed. County Councillor Derek Lockwood commented: "I am very disappointed. I do not believe Blackpool is sufficiently large, nor its population big enough, to warrant unitary status.

"I have grave concerns as to how this will affect the people of Blackpool, in that the district council will not be able to deliver in an efficient and economic manner important services such as education and social services."

His thoughts were echoed by county council leader Louise Ellman who said: "This recommendation totally ignores the overwhelming support of Lancashire people in favour of keeping the present two-tier system.

"The evidence of the report points to substantially higher costs and poorer services in Blackpool."

Proposals for setting up an all-purpose council are now with the Environment Secretary. If the recommendations are followed Blackpool will still remain within the county of Lancashire for ceremonial purposes.

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