{
 "$meta": {
  "generated": "by scripts/lgr_build.py from the canonical dataset in src/data/lgr/",
  "authoritiesNote": "Net revenue budget as adopted, per each council's own budget papers; bases differ slightly between councils (net revenue expenditure vs budget requirement) \u2014 see basis per entry.",
  "bandDNote": "Council's own Band D element only (excl. police \u00a3292.40, fire \u00a394.73, parish precepts). District residents also pay the LCC county precept.",
  "metricsNote": "Population and place indicators: ONS Census 2021 and official statistics via the ukdemographics data platform (extracted 2026-07).",
  "licence": "Open data \u2014 figures traceable to the cited public sources; verify against the primary source before formal use.",
  "site": "https://tompickup.co.uk/lgr/"
 },
 "decision": {
  "$meta": {
   "sources": [
    "https://news.lancashire.gov.uk/news/government-announces-local-government-reorganisation-decision-for-lancashire",
    "https://lancashirelgr.co.uk/news/article/1/government-announces-local-government-reorganisation-decision-for-lancashire"
   ],
   "verified": "two independent official sources, identical groupings"
  },
  "announced": "2026-07-16",
  "decidedBy": "Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government",
  "shadowElections": "2027-05",
  "vestingDay": "2028-04-01",
  "monthsDecisionToVesting": 20.5,
  "subjectTo": "Parliamentary approval"
 },
 "county": {
  "$meta": {
   "source": "LCC Budget Report 2026/27 (Full Council, 26 Feb 2026) and GOV.UK/MHCLG Revenue Outturn returns, via the AI DOGE Lancashire data pack (aidoge.co.uk)",
   "compiled": "2026-07-18"
  },
  "name": "Lancashire County Council",
  "netBudget2627_m": 1329.312,
  "councilTaxRequirement_m": 717.078,
  "taxBase": 397989.95,
  "bandD_county": 1801.75,
  "bandD_county_general": 1492.42,
  "bandD_county_asc": 309.33,
  "bandD_police": 292.4,
  "bandD_fire": 94.73,
  "composition": "84 seats: Reform UK 53, Progressive Lancashire Group 11, Conservative 8, Labour 5, Liberal Democrats 5, Our West Lancashire 2 (member index, 30 Jun 2026)",
  "mtfs": {
   "gap2829_m": 17.32,
   "grossShortfall2627Closed_m": 72.298,
   "settlementGain_m": 28.0,
   "extraReservesPlanned_m": 58.4
  },
  "reserves": [
   {
    "year": "2021/22",
    "total_m": 419.788,
    "monthsCover": 6.9,
    "rating": "Adequate"
   },
   {
    "year": "2022/23",
    "total_m": 387.408,
    "monthsCover": 5.3,
    "rating": "Low"
   },
   {
    "year": "2023/24",
    "total_m": 366.175,
    "monthsCover": 4.8,
    "rating": "Low"
   },
   {
    "year": "2024/25",
    "total_m": 345.04,
    "monthsCover": 4.2,
    "rating": "Low"
   }
  ],
  "resilience": {
   "riskScore": 50,
   "riskBand": "elevated",
   "s114Proximity": false,
   "grantDependencyPct": 29.99,
   "ctaxPctNetRevenue": 65.14
  },
  "estate": {
   "propertyAssets": 1219,
   "contractNotices": 1214,
   "contractValue_bn": 3.961,
   "paymentsCorpus_bn": 4.14,
   "paymentLines": 855890
  },
  "directorates": [
   {
    "name": "Adults, Health & Wellbeing",
    "m": 558.501
   },
   {
    "name": "Education & Children's Services",
    "m": 265.726
   },
   {
    "name": "Place (Highways, Environment, Growth)",
    "m": 261.898
   },
   {
    "name": "Corporate, central & financing",
    "m": 243.187
   }
  ],
  "topSuppliers": [
   {
    "name": "NHS Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB",
    "m": 219.7
   },
   {
    "name": "SUEZ Recycling & Recovery UK",
    "m": 79.6
   },
   {
    "name": "Lancashire Renewables Ltd",
    "m": 77.7
   },
   {
    "name": "Lancashire Schools SPC Phase 1",
    "m": 48.8
   },
   {
    "name": "Guardian Homecare",
    "m": 45.0
   }
  ],
  "contractsBeyondVesting": {
   "$note": "Analysis of the AI DOGE contracts register (Contracts Finder/Find a Tender award notices, buyer = Lancashire County Council). Caveats: county contracts only (district contracts not included); 197 notices carry no end date so the straddling total is a floor; Contracts Finder data is supplier/buyer self-reported.",
   "noticesParsed": 1214,
   "liveToday": 276,
   "liveValue_m": 1754.4,
   "straddleVesting": 142,
   "straddleValue_m": 1031.3,
   "noEndDate": 197,
   "topStraddling": [
    {
     "value_m": 204.3,
     "title": "0-19 years (up to 25 years with SEND) Public Health Nursing ",
     "supplier": "Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Fou",
     "ends": "2032-03-31"
    },
    {
     "value_m": 110.8,
     "title": "Supply of HH, NHH, UMS Electricity to Lancashire County Coun",
     "supplier": "Npower Commercial Gas Limited",
     "ends": "2028-09-30"
    },
    {
     "value_m": 64.0,
     "title": "IT Reseller Agreement for IT Software, Support and Associate",
     "supplier": "Softcat Plc",
     "ends": "2029-11-30"
    },
    {
     "value_m": 63.4,
     "title": "LPS CORP - Provision of Treated Residual Waste Recovery Serv",
     "supplier": "Lot 1 - Envirofuel (SRF) Limited",
     "ends": "2030-03-31"
    },
    {
     "value_m": 60.0,
     "title": "Supply of Natural Gas to Lancashire County Council and Schoo",
     "supplier": "TotalEnergies Gas & Power Ltd",
     "ends": "2028-09-30"
    },
    {
     "value_m": 60.0,
     "title": "Agency Staff Neutral Vendor Managed Service and Workforce So",
     "supplier": "Comensura Ltd",
     "ends": "2029-03-01"
    },
    {
     "value_m": 50.3,
     "title": "LPS CORP - The Supply and Delivery of Food and Drink Product",
     "supplier": "Dunsters Farm Ltd",
     "ends": "2029-08-31"
    },
    {
     "value_m": 38.9,
     "title": "LPS CAS - Surfacing & Potholes Managed Service - LCC43824",
     "supplier": "Multevo Limited",
     "ends": "2029-05-18"
    }
   ]
  },
  "debt_m": 1052.1,
  "debt_m_2026": 953.3,
  "debtNote": "External borrowing 31 Mar 2025 (31 Mar 2026 provisional: \u00a3953.3m), MHCLG Borrowing & Investment live table. Reserves figure of \u00a3345.0m verified exactly against the MHCLG RS return (\u00a3359.2m including public health)."
 },
 "baseline": {
  "healthDemandScore": 32.9,
  "noQuals": 17.3,
  "empRate": 51.3,
  "socialRentPct": 11.2,
  "crimeRate": 81.6,
  "fsmPct": 28.4,
  "ealPct": 16.3,
  "hmoPer1k": 1.5
 },
 "lcc": {
  "budget_m": 1329.312,
  "servedPop": 1235370,
  "perCapita": 1076
 },
 "totalPop": 1531150,
 "unitaries": [
  {
   "name": "North Lancashire",
   "accent": "#12b6cf",
   "home": false,
   "note": null,
   "councils": [
    "Lancaster",
    "Preston",
    "Ribble Valley"
   ],
   "population": 352338,
   "lccServedPop": 352338,
   "chargeableDwellings": 159352,
   "metrics": {
    "healthDemandScore": 31.6,
    "noQuals": 14.7,
    "empRate": 51.2,
    "socialRentPct": 11.5,
    "crimeRate": 80.9,
    "fsmPct": 25.3,
    "ealPct": 18.1,
    "hmoPer1k": 4.2
   },
   "countyApportioned": {
    "population": 379.1,
    "needs": 376.1
   },
   "perCapitaCounty": 1076,
   "constituentReserves_m": 92.2,
   "constituentDebt_m": 68.2,
   "owns": [
    {
     "council": "Lancaster",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 27.833,
     "basis": "General Fund Revenue Budget",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://committeeadmin.lancaster.gov.uk/documents/g8505/Public%20reports%20pack%2025th-Feb-2026%2018.00%20Council.pdf"
    },
    {
     "council": "Preston",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 34.529,
     "basis": "Total Net Requirement (Summary Revenue Account)",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://www.preston.gov.uk/media/24815/Control-Budget-2026-27/pdf/Control_Book_2026-27_Final.pdf"
    },
    {
     "council": "Ribble Valley",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 8.923,
     "basis": "Net budget / Borough Requirement",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://ribblevalley.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s10872/REVENUE%20BUDGET%20202627%20AND%20CAPITAL%20PROGRAMME%20202627%20202930%20AND%20SETTING%20THE%20COUNCIL%20TAX%20FOR%20EACH%20.pdf"
    }
   ],
   "ownTotal": 71.3,
   "combined": {
    "population": 450.4,
    "needs": 447.4
   },
   "combinedPerCapita": 1278,
   "bandD": {
    "bills": [
     {
      "council": "Lancaster",
      "ownElement": 272.2,
      "councilBill": 2073.95,
      "confidence": "medium"
     },
     {
      "council": "Preston",
      "ownElement": 375.34,
      "councilBill": 2177.09,
      "confidence": "medium"
     },
     {
      "council": "Ribble Valley",
      "ownElement": 170.69,
      "councilBill": 1972.44,
      "confidence": "medium"
     }
    ],
    "dwellingWeightedAvg": 2098.53,
    "lowest": {
     "council": "Ribble Valley",
     "bill": 1972.44
    },
    "highest": {
     "council": "Preston",
     "bill": 2177.09
    },
    "spread": 204.65
   }
  },
  {
   "name": "West Lancashire",
   "accent": "#30d158",
   "home": false,
   "note": "Does not include the current West Lancashire district, which joins South Lancashire",
   "councils": [
    "Fylde",
    "Wyre",
    "Blackpool"
   ],
   "population": 334360,
   "lccServedPop": 193321,
   "chargeableDwellings": 166166,
   "metrics": {
    "healthDemandScore": 33.4,
    "noQuals": 20.4,
    "empRate": 53.2,
    "socialRentPct": 8.8,
    "crimeRate": 101.0,
    "fsmPct": 33.3,
    "ealPct": 7.0,
    "hmoPer1k": 0.5
   },
   "countyApportioned": {
    "population": 208.0,
    "needs": 210.3
   },
   "perCapitaCounty": 1076,
   "constituentReserves_m": 90.8,
   "constituentDebt_m": 606.8,
   "owns": [
    {
     "council": "Fylde",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 13.056,
     "basis": "Budget requirement (MTFS agreed budget)",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://new.fylde.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Draft-Budget-2026-27-Summary.pdf"
    },
    {
     "council": "Wyre",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 19.067,
     "basis": "Net expenditure before other government grants",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://wyre.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s31299/Revenue%20Budget%20Council%20Tax%20and%20Capital%20Programme.pdf"
    },
    {
     "council": "Blackpool",
     "type": "unitary",
     "m": 229.63,
     "basis": "General Fund net expenditure (cash limit)",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Transparency-and-open-data/Documents/Budget-Book/Municipal-Budget-Year-Ending-31st-March-2027.pdf"
    }
   ],
   "ownTotal": 261.8,
   "combined": {
    "population": 469.8,
    "needs": 472.1
   },
   "combinedPerCapita": 1405,
   "bandD": {
    "bills": [
     {
      "council": "Fylde",
      "ownElement": 239.11,
      "councilBill": 2040.86,
      "confidence": "medium"
     },
     {
      "council": "Wyre",
      "ownElement": 240.05,
      "councilBill": 2041.8,
      "confidence": "high"
     },
     {
      "council": "Blackpool",
      "ownElement": 2126.09,
      "councilBill": 2126.09,
      "confidence": "high"
     }
    ],
    "dwellingWeightedAvg": 2077.64,
    "lowest": {
     "council": "Fylde",
     "bill": 2040.86
    },
    "highest": {
     "council": "Blackpool",
     "bill": 2126.09
    },
    "spread": 85.23
   }
  },
  {
   "name": "East Lancashire",
   "accent": "#ff9f0a",
   "home": true,
   "note": null,
   "councils": [
    "Blackburn with Darwen",
    "Hyndburn",
    "Rossendale",
    "Pendle",
    "Burnley"
   ],
   "population": 498255,
   "lccServedPop": 343514,
   "chargeableDwellings": 214732,
   "metrics": {
    "healthDemandScore": 36.8,
    "noQuals": 17.9,
    "empRate": 44.6,
    "socialRentPct": 11.8,
    "crimeRate": 86.3,
    "fsmPct": 31.7,
    "ealPct": 28.2,
    "hmoPer1k": 0.3
   },
   "countyApportioned": {
    "population": 369.6,
    "needs": 410.8
   },
   "perCapitaCounty": 1076,
   "constituentReserves_m": 152.3,
   "constituentDebt_m": 200.6,
   "owns": [
    {
     "council": "Blackburn with Darwen",
     "type": "unitary",
     "m": 230.283,
     "basis": "Net Revenue Expenditure",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://blackburn.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s32529/Revenue%20Budget%202026-27%20Medium%20Term%20Financial%20Strategy%202026-29.pdf"
    },
    {
     "council": "Hyndburn",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 17.608,
     "basis": "Net revenue expenditure",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://democracy.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/documents/s23577/a%20General%20Fund%20Revenue%20Budget%20202627.pdf"
    },
    {
     "council": "Rossendale",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 14.601,
     "basis": "Total General Fund (original budget)",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://www.rossendale.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/12224/C1.%202026.27%20Council%20Budget%20and%20Medium-Term%20Financial%20Strategy"
    },
    {
     "council": "Pendle",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 18.444,
     "basis": "Budget Requirement (net expenditure \u00a318.944m)",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://www.pendle.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/31576/item_10_b_-_general_fund_revenue_budget_202627"
    },
    {
     "council": "Burnley",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 22.429,
     "basis": "Net Budget Requirement (council tax resolution)",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://burnley.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g4108/Printed%20minutes%2003rd-Mar-2026%2018.30%20Full%20Council.pdf"
    }
   ],
   "ownTotal": 303.4,
   "combined": {
    "population": 673.0,
    "needs": 714.2
   },
   "combinedPerCapita": 1351,
   "bandD": {
    "bills": [
     {
      "council": "Blackburn with Darwen",
      "ownElement": 2062.96,
      "councilBill": 2062.96,
      "confidence": "high"
     },
     {
      "council": "Hyndburn",
      "ownElement": 276.46,
      "councilBill": 2078.21,
      "confidence": "high"
     },
     {
      "council": "Rossendale",
      "ownElement": 327.16,
      "councilBill": 2128.91,
      "confidence": "high"
     },
     {
      "council": "Pendle",
      "ownElement": 316.71,
      "councilBill": 2118.46,
      "confidence": "high"
     },
     {
      "council": "Burnley",
      "ownElement": 351.44,
      "councilBill": 2153.19,
      "confidence": "high"
     }
    ],
    "dwellingWeightedAvg": 2103.69,
    "lowest": {
     "council": "Blackburn with Darwen",
     "bill": 2062.96
    },
    "highest": {
     "council": "Burnley",
     "bill": 2153.19
    },
    "spread": 90.23
   }
  },
  {
   "name": "South Lancashire",
   "accent": "#bf5af2",
   "home": false,
   "note": null,
   "councils": [
    "Chorley",
    "South Ribble",
    "West Lancashire"
   ],
   "population": 346197,
   "lccServedPop": 346197,
   "chargeableDwellings": 154156,
   "metrics": {
    "healthDemandScore": 28.4,
    "noQuals": 16.1,
    "empRate": 59.1,
    "socialRentPct": 12.5,
    "crimeRate": 57.0,
    "fsmPct": 22.1,
    "ealPct": 6.4,
    "hmoPer1k": 1.3
   },
   "countyApportioned": {
    "population": 372.5,
    "needs": 332.1
   },
   "perCapitaCounty": 1076,
   "constituentReserves_m": 35.0,
   "constituentDebt_m": 181.2,
   "owns": [
    {
     "council": "Chorley",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 17.102,
     "basis": "Total Expenditure (net budget requirement)",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://chorley.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s194092/"
    },
    {
     "council": "South Ribble",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 17.478,
     "basis": "Total Expenditure (net budget requirement)",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://southribble.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s55374/"
    },
    {
     "council": "West Lancashire",
     "type": "district",
     "m": 19.538,
     "basis": "Net budget requirement",
     "confidence": "high",
     "source": "https://westlancs.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s51819/GRA%20Revenue%20Budget%20Report%20and%20MTFS%20Update%2026-29%20Council%20v2.pdf"
    }
   ],
   "ownTotal": 54.1,
   "combined": {
    "population": 426.6,
    "needs": 386.2
   },
   "combinedPerCapita": 1232,
   "bandD": {
    "bills": [
     {
      "council": "Chorley",
      "ownElement": 192.85,
      "councilBill": 1994.6,
      "confidence": "medium"
     },
     {
      "council": "South Ribble",
      "ownElement": 241.28,
      "councilBill": 2043.03,
      "confidence": "high"
     },
     {
      "council": "West Lancashire",
      "ownElement": 245.71,
      "councilBill": 2047.46,
      "confidence": "high"
     }
    ],
    "dwellingWeightedAvg": 2028.13,
    "lowest": {
     "council": "Chorley",
     "bill": 1994.6
    },
    "highest": {
     "council": "West Lancashire",
     "bill": 2047.46
    },
    "spread": 52.86
   }
  }
 ],
 "precedents": {
  "$meta": {
   "note": "Completed English LGRs 2019-2023, from official sources (MHCLG decision documents, council business cases, KPMG/CIPFA closure and assurance reviews, Hansard, audited accounts). Confidence per figure as flagged; 'not published' means no consolidated official figure exists.",
   "compiled": "2026-07-18"
  },
  "cases": [
   {
    "name": "Dorset & BCP",
    "vested": "2019-04-01",
    "decision": "2018-02-26",
    "months": 13.1,
    "predecessors": 9,
    "unitaries": 2,
    "population": 779900,
    "transition": {
     "budgeted_m": 25.0,
     "actual_m": null,
     "note": "No consolidated actual published; BCP later needed a \u00a376m capitalisation request and a DLUHC assurance review"
    },
    "savings": {
     "projected": "\u2265\u00a3108m over 6 years",
     "realised": "Dorset reports \u00a396m convergence+transformation; BCP needed ~\u00a341m invested for \u00a335m net"
    },
    "notable": "Divergent fortunes: rural Dorset stabilised, urban BCP hit financial distress",
    "confidence": "high (budget/projection), medium (realised)"
   },
   {
    "name": "Buckinghamshire",
    "vested": "2020-04-01",
    "decision": "2018-11-01",
    "months": 17.0,
    "predecessors": 5,
    "unitaries": 1,
    "population": 553300,
    "transition": {
     "budgeted_m": 22.2,
     "actual_m": 19.5,
     "note": "Under budget; \u00a32.7m underspend rolled into transformation"
    },
    "savings": {
     "projected": "\u00a318m/yr (2016 business case)",
     "realised": "\u00a375.4m over first 4 years, ~4x the business case"
    },
    "notable": "The benchmark success case, delivered despite vesting nine days after Covid lockdown",
    "confidence": "high"
   },
   {
    "name": "West & North Northamptonshire",
    "vested": "2021-04-01",
    "decision": "2019-05-14",
    "months": 22.6,
    "predecessors": 8,
    "unitaries": 2,
    "population": 745610,
    "transition": {
     "budgeted_m": 29.9,
     "actual_m": null,
     "note": "Later joint estimate \u00a343.5m; no consolidated actual, \u00a3953m county balance-sheet split disputed for ~4 years"
    },
    "savings": {
     "projected": "\u00a312.1m/yr (PwC)",
     "realised": "WNC ~\u00a334m and NNC \u00a317m+ transformation savings reported over three years"
    },
    "notable": "Intervention-driven (county s114); the disaggregation dispute is the direct warning for splitting a county",
    "confidence": "high (budgeted/projected), medium (realised)"
   },
   {
    "name": "Cumbria (Cumberland + W&F)",
    "vested": "2023-04-01",
    "decision": "2021-07-21",
    "months": 20.3,
    "predecessors": 7,
    "unitaries": 2,
    "population": 499800,
    "transition": {
     "budgeted_m": 18.9,
     "actual_m": 18.5,
     "note": "Implementation within budget, but efficiencies deferred; W&F needed ~\u00a326m Exceptional Financial Support in year one"
    },
    "savings": {
     "projected": "~\u00a312m/yr net recurring",
     "realised": "Not realised in the LGR phase (KPMG closure report); disaggregation costs swamped early savings"
    },
    "notable": "The 'split a county' precedent: on-budget build, year-one financial support for both new councils",
    "confidence": "high"
   },
   {
    "name": "North Yorkshire",
    "vested": "2023-04-01",
    "decision": "2021-07-21",
    "months": 20.3,
    "predecessors": 8,
    "unitaries": 1,
    "population": 615000,
    "transition": {
     "budgeted_m": 38.0,
     "actual_m": null,
     "note": "Self-funded from county reserves; ~\u00a36m spent by mid-2023, no consolidated outturn published"
    },
    "savings": {
     "projected": "\u00a330\u201370m/yr business case",
     "realised": "\u00a33.1m in year one; savings back-loaded, ~\u00a330m year-one shortfall"
    },
    "notable": "Completed pay/job evaluation BEFORE vesting, the only case to avoid legacy terms-and-conditions drift",
    "confidence": "medium"
   },
   {
    "name": "Somerset",
    "vested": "2023-04-01",
    "decision": "2021-07-21",
    "months": 20.3,
    "predecessors": 5,
    "unitaries": 1,
    "population": 571600,
    "transition": {
     "budgeted_m": 16.5,
     "actual_m": null,
     "note": "Districts incurred extra costs on top; no consolidated actual"
    },
    "savings": {
     "projected": "\u00a318.5m/yr at full run rate",
     "realised": "Only ~\u00a37m by early 2024, too slow to offset care pressure"
    },
    "notable": "Financial emergency declared 8 months after vesting; \u00a377.9m capitalisation support incl. \u00a340m to downsize; still on legacy T&Cs ~2 years on",
    "confidence": "high (budget/projection), medium (realised)"
   }
  ],
  "lancashire": {
   "months": 20.5,
   "predecessors": 15,
   "unitaries": 4,
   "population": 1531150,
   "perResidentEnvelope": {
    "low_gbp": 22,
    "high_gbp": 62,
    "basis": "Budgeted transition cost per resident across the six precedents (Somerset \u00a329 to N. Yorks \u00a362)"
   },
   "impliedTransition_m": {
    "low": 50,
    "high": 100,
    "basis": "Precedent per-resident envelope applied to 1.53m residents; before disaggregation risk, which hit hardest in the county-split cases"
   },
   "keyRisk": "15\u21924 is the most complex disaggregation attempted in this era, closest in kind to Cumbria and Northamptonshire, the two cases where splitting the county drove overruns and multi-year disputes"
  },
  "equalPay": {
   "birmingham": {
    "liability": "\u00a3650m\u2013\u00a3760m announced June 2023, accruing \u00a35\u201314m/month, on top of ~\u00a31.1bn already paid; s114 notice 5 Sep 2023",
    "confidence": "high"
   },
   "cumbriaClaim": {
    "fact": "Aug 2023 (five months after vesting): Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness both received an equal pay claim covering 400+ former Cumbria CC employees (CIPFA external assurance review)",
    "confidence": "high"
   },
   "somerset": {
    "fact": "Workforce still on several legacy terms-and-conditions sets ~2 years after vesting (CIPFA); ~\u00a33m pay & grading programme, ~1,600 role profiles inherited, equal-pay risk cited as rising with delay",
    "confidence": "high"
   },
   "northYorkshire": {
    "fact": "~3,000 staff TUPE-transferred at vesting; single job-evaluated pay structure completed pre-vesting across all 8 councils",
    "confidence": "high"
   }
  }
 },
 "cca": {
  "$meta": {
   "sources": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancashire_Combined_County_Authority",
    "https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/council/organisation-and-partnerships/lancashire-combined-authority/",
    "https://lancashire-cca.gov.uk/",
    "https://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/articles/lancashire-combined-county-authority-marks-first-anniversary",
    "https://lancashire.thelead.uk/p/lancashire-combined-county-authority-devolution-adult-education-provider-changes"
   ],
   "compiled": "2026-07-18"
  },
  "name": "Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA)",
  "established": "Formally launched 5 February 2025 (Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025; shadow authority first met 27 November 2024)",
  "mayoral": false,
  "mayoralNote": "Non-mayoral, led by a chair; government has said Lancashire will get a mayor within ~18 months, alongside reorganisation",
  "constituents": [
   "Lancashire County Council",
   "Blackpool Council",
   "Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council"
  ],
  "functions": [
   {
    "name": "Local Transport Authority role",
    "detail": "LCCA becomes the LTA for all three constituent councils from 1 April, with a \u00a3640m transport funding settlement over four years",
    "value_m": 640,
    "period": "4 years"
   },
   {
    "name": "Adult Skills Fund",
    "detail": "\u00a340.8m adult education/skills budget administered by the LCCA from August 2026 (previously central government)",
    "value_m": 40.8,
    "period": "per year"
   },
   {
    "name": "Proposed",
    "detail": "Housing, wider education and skills, and environmental functions proposed under the devolution deal"
   }
  ],
  "infancyNote": "The CCA is in its infancy: strategy and funding are lifting to CCA level, but delivery capacity still sits with LCC and the two existing unitaries. No published disaggregation shows what part of any council's net budget transfers to the CCA.",
  "postLgrNote": "After vesting day the CCA's constituent members will be drawn from the successor unitaries; Lancashire's end-state is four unitary councils plus one (likely mayoral) combined authority: five bodies, not four."
 },
 "pensions": {
  "$meta": {
   "sources": [
    "https://lgpsboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Lancashire-CPF-Scheme-Funding-Report.pdf",
    "https://council.lancashire.gov.uk/documents/s265025/Lancashire%20County%20Pension%20Fund%20Annual%20Report%20Year%20Ending%2031%20March%202025.pdf",
    "https://www.lgcplus.com/lgps/pension-contribution-cuts-to-save-councils-millions-18-03-2026/",
    "https://www.cumbriapensionfund.org/about-the-scheme/about-the-pension-fund",
    "https://pensions.northamptonshire.gov.uk/"
   ],
   "primary": "Mercer, Report on the Actuarial Valuation as at 31 March 2025 (signed valuation report)",
   "compiled": "2026-07-18"
  },
  "fund": "Lancashire County Pension Fund (LGPS), administered by Lancashire County Council; day-to-day administration by Local Pensions Partnership",
  "assets_bn": 11.974,
  "valuationDate": "2025-03-31",
  "fundingLevelPct": 134,
  "surplus_m": 3036,
  "fundingLevel2022Pct": 115,
  "members": {
   "active": 58861,
   "deferred": 84340,
   "pensioners": 61757,
   "total": 204958
  },
  "allFifteenCouncilsInFund": true,
  "allFifteenNote": "Rates & Adjustments Certificate lists all 15 Lancashire councils as Major Authorities in the single fund, including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen, which stayed in the county fund on becoming unitary in 1998",
  "lccContribution": {
   "ratePct2526": 16.3,
   "ratePct2627": 9.3,
   "cash2526_m": 87,
   "cash2627_m": 52,
   "note": "\u00a335m whole-council cash reduction following the 2025 valuation surplus; LCC's budget papers assumed ~\u00a321.2m net revenue benefit (reconciliation of the two is inference, not verified)",
   "confidence": "medium-high"
  },
  "nextValuation": "2028-03-31, the day before vesting day; projected surplus ~\u00a33,370m (~137%)",
  "lgrPrecedent": {
   "cumbria": "Fund NOT split at the 2023 county split: Westmorland & Furness became administering authority for the single Cumbria Pension Fund, Cumberland an employer",
   "northamptonshire": "Same pattern in 2021: West Northamptonshire took on the single fund as administering authority, North Northamptonshire an employer",
   "implication": "Precedent points to LCPF remaining one fund with one successor unitary designated administering authority (a structural-change-order decision), contextual inference, not a published decision for Lancashire"
  }
 },
 "government": {
  "$meta": {
   "sources": [
    "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/14-more-areas-to-benefit-from-streamlined-local-services",
    "https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-07-16/hcws286",
    "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-devolution-white-paper-power-and-partnership-foundations-for-growth/english-devolution-white-paper",
    "https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-03-24/hcws545",
    "https://www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/devolution-and-lgr-faqs-mhclg",
    "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/28",
    "https://lancashire.thelead.uk/p/lancashire-to-split-into-four-authorities"
   ],
   "compiled": "2026-07-18"
  },
  "statutoryProcess": {
   "basis": "Part 1, Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007; implementation by Structural Changes Order under s.7",
   "procedure": "Draft affirmative: the SCO must be approved by resolution of both Houses of Parliament before it is made",
   "expected": "SCO expected later in 2026 (laying date not yet published); shadow elections May 2027; vesting 1 April 2028"
  },
  "populationCriterion": {
   "wording": "For most areas this will mean creating councils with a population of 500,000 or more, but there may be exceptions to ensure new structures make sense for an area, including for devolution, and decisions will be on a case-by-case basis",
   "source": "English Devolution White Paper, 16 December 2024",
   "clarification": "Government later described 500k as a guiding principle, not a target; all four Lancashire unitaries sit below it under the case-by-case flexibility"
  },
  "funding": {
   "proposalDevelopment": "\u00a37.6m across the 21 invited areas (\u00a3135,000 per area + 20p per resident). WMS HCWS545, 24 Mar 2025",
   "transition": "\u00a363m across LGR areas: at least \u00a3900,000 per new unitary, plus up to \u00a3150,000 per unitary for children's/ASC/public-health leadership continuity, and up to \u00a31m for complex fire transitions",
   "whoPays": "Government's stated expectation is that reorganisation costs are met by councils within the area, with openness to flexible use of capital receipts and borrowing; no LGR-specific Exceptional Financial Support scheme has been published"
  },
  "july16Announcement": {
   "scope": "14 areas decided on 16 July 2026: 134 existing councils to be replaced by 38 unitaries; Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex deferred",
   "lancashireRationale": "Reflects Lancashire's diverse urban, rural and coastal communities, aligned with existing economic areas and transport links, with a clear structure for future devolution (GOV.UK)",
   "approvedProposal": "The four-unitary option was the proposal submitted by six councils: Chorley, Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley, South Ribble and West Lancashire",
   "proposerSavingsClaim": {
    "cumulative_m": 194.9,
    "recurring_m_yr": 81.9,
    "from": "2032/33",
    "note": "The bidding councils' own business-case estimate, not an independent or government-verified figure"
   },
   "lccPosition": "Lancashire County Council's leader opposed the decision, citing affordability, delivery and the scale of change"
  }
 },
 "costsVsSavings": {
  "$meta": {
   "note": "Cost-vs-savings scenario assumptions. Every parameter is traceable: savings run-rate from the proposers' business case (via lancashire.thelead.uk); realisation rates and cost envelope from the precedents evidence base (precedents.json); equal-pay exposure from Reform UK's published Lancashire LGR analysis (own modelled estimate, Mar 2026); government offsets from government.json. Outputs are MODELLED SCENARIOS, not forecasts.",
   "years": [
    "2026/27",
    "2027/28",
    "2028/29",
    "2029/30",
    "2030/31",
    "2031/32",
    "2032/33",
    "2033/34",
    "2034/35",
    "2035/36",
    "2036/37",
    "2037/38"
   ],
   "costProfile": {
    "note": "Transition spend profile: 10% pre-SCO year, 30% shadow year, 40% vesting year, 20% year after",
    "weights": [
     0.1,
     0.3,
     0.4,
     0.2,
     0,
     0,
     0,
     0,
     0,
     0,
     0,
     0
    ]
   },
   "governmentOffset_m": 4.6,
   "offsetNote": "4 x >=\u00a3900k transition funding + 4 x \u00a3150k leadership top-ups + Lancashire's ~\u00a30.4m share of proposal-development funding"
  },
  "fullRunRate_m": 81.9,
  "runRateNote": "Proposers' claimed recurring annual benefit from 2032/33 (their business case; not independently verified)",
  "scenarios": [
   {
    "key": "proposers",
    "label": "Proposers' case",
    "basis": "Savings as claimed (\u00a381.9m/yr by 2032/33, linear ramp from vesting); transition at the centre of the \u00a350-100m precedent envelope",
    "transitionCost_m": 75,
    "realisationPct": 100,
    "annualRunRate_m": 81.9,
    "equalPay_m": 0,
    "payback": "2030/31",
    "tenYearNet_m": 584.8,
    "series": [
     {
      "year": "2026/27",
      "savings_m": 0.0,
      "costs_m": 2.9,
      "cumNet_m": -2.9
     },
     {
      "year": "2027/28",
      "savings_m": 0.0,
      "costs_m": 22.5,
      "cumNet_m": -25.4
     },
     {
      "year": "2028/29",
      "savings_m": 16.4,
      "costs_m": 30.0,
      "cumNet_m": -39.0
     },
     {
      "year": "2029/30",
      "savings_m": 32.8,
      "costs_m": 15.0,
      "cumNet_m": -21.3
     },
     {
      "year": "2030/31",
      "savings_m": 49.1,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 27.9
     },
     {
      "year": "2031/32",
      "savings_m": 65.5,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 93.4
     },
     {
      "year": "2032/33",
      "savings_m": 81.9,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 175.3
     },
     {
      "year": "2033/34",
      "savings_m": 81.9,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 257.2
     },
     {
      "year": "2034/35",
      "savings_m": 81.9,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 339.1
     },
     {
      "year": "2035/36",
      "savings_m": 81.9,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 421.0
     },
     {
      "year": "2036/37",
      "savings_m": 81.9,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 502.9
     },
     {
      "year": "2037/38",
      "savings_m": 81.9,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 584.8
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "key": "precedent",
    "label": "Precedent-adjusted",
    "basis": "60% realisation of the claimed run-rate, reflecting Somerset (~38% of projection in year one), North Yorkshire (back-loaded) and Northamptonshire (partial); Buckinghamshire's over-delivery is the outlier. Transition cost above centre, reflecting the county-split premium",
    "transitionCost_m": 85,
    "realisationPct": 60,
    "annualRunRate_m": 49.1,
    "equalPay_m": 0,
    "payback": "2031/32",
    "tenYearNet_m": 337.3,
    "series": [
     {
      "year": "2026/27",
      "savings_m": 0.0,
      "costs_m": 3.9,
      "cumNet_m": -3.9
     },
     {
      "year": "2027/28",
      "savings_m": 0.0,
      "costs_m": 25.5,
      "cumNet_m": -29.4
     },
     {
      "year": "2028/29",
      "savings_m": 12.3,
      "costs_m": 34.0,
      "cumNet_m": -51.1
     },
     {
      "year": "2029/30",
      "savings_m": 24.6,
      "costs_m": 17.0,
      "cumNet_m": -43.5
     },
     {
      "year": "2030/31",
      "savings_m": 36.9,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": -6.7
     },
     {
      "year": "2031/32",
      "savings_m": 49.1,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 42.5
     },
     {
      "year": "2032/33",
      "savings_m": 49.1,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 91.6
     },
     {
      "year": "2033/34",
      "savings_m": 49.1,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 140.7
     },
     {
      "year": "2034/35",
      "savings_m": 49.1,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 189.9
     },
     {
      "year": "2035/36",
      "savings_m": 49.1,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 239.0
     },
     {
      "year": "2036/37",
      "savings_m": 49.1,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 288.1
     },
     {
      "year": "2037/38",
      "savings_m": 49.1,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 337.3
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "key": "downside",
    "label": "Downside",
    "basis": "Cumbria pattern: savings deferred and largely absorbed by disaggregation; transition at the top of the envelope; the \u00a385.5m modelled equal-pay exposure crystallises post-vesting (as an actual claim did in Cumbria, five months after vesting day)",
    "transitionCost_m": 100,
    "realisationPct": 30,
    "annualRunRate_m": 24.6,
    "equalPay_m": 85.5,
    "payback": "2036/37",
    "tenYearNet_m": 27.9,
    "series": [
     {
      "year": "2026/27",
      "savings_m": 0.0,
      "costs_m": 5.4,
      "cumNet_m": -5.4
     },
     {
      "year": "2027/28",
      "savings_m": 0.0,
      "costs_m": 30.0,
      "cumNet_m": -35.4
     },
     {
      "year": "2028/29",
      "savings_m": 6.1,
      "costs_m": 40.0,
      "cumNet_m": -69.3
     },
     {
      "year": "2029/30",
      "savings_m": 12.3,
      "costs_m": 105.5,
      "cumNet_m": -162.5
     },
     {
      "year": "2030/31",
      "savings_m": 18.4,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": -144.0
     },
     {
      "year": "2031/32",
      "savings_m": 24.6,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": -119.5
     },
     {
      "year": "2032/33",
      "savings_m": 24.6,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": -94.9
     },
     {
      "year": "2033/34",
      "savings_m": 24.6,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": -70.3
     },
     {
      "year": "2034/35",
      "savings_m": 24.6,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": -45.8
     },
     {
      "year": "2035/36",
      "savings_m": 24.6,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": -21.2
     },
     {
      "year": "2036/37",
      "savings_m": 24.6,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 3.4
     },
     {
      "year": "2037/38",
      "savings_m": 24.6,
      "costs_m": 0,
      "cumNet_m": 27.9
     }
    ]
   }
  ]
 },
 "authorities": {
  "Lancaster": {
   "ons": "E07000121",
   "type": "district",
   "population": 142939,
   "netBudget2627_m": 27.833,
   "budgetBasis": "General Fund Revenue Budget",
   "budgetConfidence": "high",
   "budgetSource": "https://committeeadmin.lancaster.gov.uk/documents/g8505/Public%20reports%20pack%2025th-Feb-2026%2018.00%20Council.pdf",
   "bandD_own": 272.2,
   "bandDConfidence": "medium",
   "bandDSource": "Council budget resolution, 25 Feb 2026 (Band D uplift 2.99%)",
   "metrics": {
    "chargeableDwellings": 63659,
    "totalDwellings": 66802,
    "healthDemandScore": 31,
    "noQuals": 15,
    "empRate": 52.5,
    "socialRentPct": 9.9,
    "ownPct": 64.5,
    "crimeRate": 74.16,
    "fsmPct": 26.9,
    "ealPct": 10.0,
    "pupils": 19353,
    "hmoPer1k": 6.63
   },
   "reserves_m": 28.7,
   "debt_m": 56.9,
   "debt_m_2026": 55.9,
   "balanceNote": "part HRA-related"
  },
  "Preston": {
   "ons": "E07000123",
   "type": "district",
   "population": 147834,
   "netBudget2627_m": 34.529,
   "budgetBasis": "Total Net Requirement (Summary Revenue Account)",
   "budgetConfidence": "high",
   "budgetSource": "https://www.preston.gov.uk/media/24815/Control-Budget-2026-27/pdf/Control_Book_2026-27_Final.pdf",
   "budgetNote": "Includes business-rates retention and technical adjustments; council-tax-funded slice is \u00a316.974m",
   "bandD_own": 375.34,
   "bandDConfidence": "medium",
   "bandDSource": "Control Budget 2026/27 (Band D \u00a3375.34, +2.99%)",
   "metrics": {
    "chargeableDwellings": 66601,
    "totalDwellings": 69951,
    "healthDemandScore": 34,
    "noQuals": 15.1,
    "empRate": 46.7,
    "socialRentPct": 14.6,
    "ownPct": 44.7,
    "crimeRate": 104.97,
    "fsmPct": 28.4,
    "ealPct": 31.5,
    "pupils": 22418,
    "hmoPer1k": 3.54
   },
   "reserves_m": 42.8,
   "debt_m": 12.4,
   "debt_m_2026": 12.3
  },
  "Ribble Valley": {
   "ons": "E07000124",
   "type": "district",
   "population": 61565,
   "netBudget2627_m": 8.923,
   "budgetBasis": "Net budget / Borough Requirement",
   "budgetConfidence": "high",
   "budgetSource": "https://ribblevalley.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s10872/REVENUE%20BUDGET%20202627%20AND%20CAPITAL%20PROGRAMME%20202627%20202930%20AND%20SETTING%20THE%20COUNCIL%20TAX%20FOR%20EACH%20.pdf",
   "bandD_own": 170.69,
   "bandDConfidence": "medium",
   "bandDSource": "Budget report to Council (Band D frozen 2026/27); awaiting primary-source confirmation",
   "metrics": {
    "chargeableDwellings": 29092,
    "totalDwellings": 29597,
    "healthDemandScore": 27,
    "noQuals": 12.8,
    "empRate": 59.1,
    "socialRentPct": 7.8,
    "ownPct": 74.9,
    "crimeRate": 38.47,
    "fsmPct": 14.3,
    "ealPct": 4.8,
    "pupils": 12312,
    "hmoPer1k": 0.31
   },
   "reserves_m": 20.7,
   "debt_m": 0.0,
   "debt_m_2026": 0.0,
   "balanceNote": "debt-free"
  },
  "Fylde": {
   "ons": "E07000119",
   "type": "district",
   "population": 81375,
   "netBudget2627_m": 13.056,
   "budgetBasis": "Budget requirement (MTFS agreed budget)",
   "budgetConfidence": "high",
   "budgetSource": "https://new.fylde.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Draft-Budget-2026-27-Summary.pdf",
   "bandD_own": 239.11,
   "bandDConfidence": "medium",
   "bandDSource": "Budget Book 2026/27; awaiting primary-source confirmation",
   "metrics": {
    "chargeableDwellings": 40503,
    "totalDwellings": 41551,
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