Stephen Atkinson
Reform UK leader of Lancashire County Council since May 2025; former Conservative Ribble Valley leader.
Stephen Atkinson's Lancashire County Council has authorised its lawyers to protect its position over the government's July 2026 reorganisation decision, which may mean a protective court claim before the challenge Deadline of about 16 October, Local Government Lawyer reported on 5 October.
Last refreshed: 7 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
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Stephen Atkinson has led Lancashire County Council for Reform UK since 22 May 2025, after the party won control of the council that month. He represents the Ribble Valley South West division.
He previously led Ribble Valley Borough Council as a Conservative and joined Reform UK in 2025. Lancashire and Essex are Reform's two largest councils.
Under his leadership the county is contesting the government's July 2026 plan to replace it with four unitary councils. His Cabinet has authorised legal steps, possibly including a protective judicial review claim, while ministers review the decision they paused on 7 September.
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In July 2026 the government decided to reorganise Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen into four unitary councils, abolishing the county council Atkinson leads. On 7 September ministers paused that decision for review but did not withdraw it, so it still stands in law, and a judicial review must be brought within three months: around 16 October for decisions dated 16 July.
Atkinson's Cabinet has authorised its lawyers to take "such legal steps as are considered necessary and proportionate", which may include a protective claim the council would ask the Court to put on hold. No claim had been filed by 5 October. Without clarity, Atkinson said, "there is a risk that the council could lose the opportunity to challenge the July decision, should that prove necessary".
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