Lancashire households could see council tax bills rise by up to 5 per cent next year without local public approval being sought, following a shake-up of council tax rules in the government’s Autumn Statement this week.
Investment zones and free-ports have been discussed by a number of Lancashire councils this year including Lancaster, which includes Heysham, Ribble Valley and West Lancashire. Supporters of investment zones said they could boost employers’ investment in jobs and facilities, and speed-up the planning processes around building new homes. They say the current town-and-country planning system with council committees, planning rules and officers is too complicated and an obstacle to Britain’s future development.
And arrangements for free-ports were debated by West Lancashire Council earlier this summer when an industrial area of Skelmersdale was included in early plans for the Liverpool City Region Freeport. which stretches as far as land in Greater Manchester. The Lancaster City Council leader, Green Party Coun Caroline Jackson, recently said the council was approached at short notice about a potential Heysham investment zone.
No 'could' about it. This will be absolute