Lytham Town Council — Statement on Independence and Governance - Thursday 23rd April 2026
23rd of April, 2026
Lytham Town Council wishes to address recent public commentary regarding its governance and independence, and to provide clear reassurance to the residents it serves.
Our Legal Status and Constitutional Independence
Lytham Town Council is an independent local authority, constituted as a corporate body under the Local Government Act 1972. It was established through a formal community governance process determined by statutory and democratic mechanisms, and is accountable solely to the residents of Lytham through democratic election. The Council operates entirely separately from any external organisation.
How the Council Makes Decisions
Decisions are taken collectively by elected councillors in accordance with the law, the Council's Standing Orders, and the Members' Code of Conduct. Councillors are elected to serve the whole community and act in their public office accordingly.
Where Councillors hold outside interests, such as with community groups, campaigning organisations, political parties, business or otherwise, these are stated transparently and recorded in the public Register of Interests - as required by the Localism Act 2011. This requirement exists precisely because the Council recognises that its members live and participate in the community they serve. Declaration ensures that any potential conflict between a councillor's outside interests and their public duties is identified and managed openly.
The Council is not directed or controlled by any external organisation. While individuals and organisations are entitled to campaign on matters of local interest, those campaigns do not direct the Council's decision-making.
Planning Application 25/0094
Lytham Town Council considered planning application 25/0094 at its extraordinary meeting on 7th January 2026 and resolved to object to it. That decision was reached through the Council's normal deliberative process, on its planning merits, by elected councillors acting in accordance with their responsibilities and the Members' Code of Conduct. It was not pre-determined, and it was not made at the direction of any external organisation. The minutes of that meeting are published on our website and the representations submitted to Fylde Council are a matter of public record.
NB: The Council is not a party to any subsequent legal proceedings relating to this matter, and it would not be appropriate for the Council to comment further on those proceedings.
A Note on Community Involvement
It would be neither realistic nor desirable for elected councillors to have no involvement in community life outside the Council chamber. Councillors who are active locally, who belong to community groups, and who care about their town are an asset to local democracy. The safeguards that matter are transparency, declaration of interests where required by law, and adherence to the Code of Conduct. Those safeguards were observed.
The Council would caution against a standard that treats community involvement as inherently compromising. By the same logic, a councillor who belongs to a political party, owns a local business, or is a member of a residents' association could equally be characterised as conflicted — a position that would be unworkable in practice and which the law does not support.
Our Commitment
Lytham Town Council remains committed to openness, accountability, and serving the whole community impartially. Residents with questions about the Council's governance, its Register of Interests, or any specific decision are welcome to contact the Clerk directly.
Luke Russell
Clerk & Proper Officer to Lytham Town Council
email to: Clerk@lythamtowncouncil.gov.uk or please use the Contact form built into our website
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