Lancashire county council

Lancashire County Council is the local government authority for the county of Lancashire in England. The council is currently newsworthy for two significant reasons. Firstly, it has announced plans to withdraw from the government's refugee resettlement scheme, a move that would make it the first local authority to do so. This decision, led by the Reform party within the council, means Lancashire will cease participation in the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) and the Afghan Resettlement Programme. Secondly, concerns have been raised regarding kidney cancer rates in areas near a factory in Lancashire that previously used PFOA, a banned carcinogenic chemical. A government-funded study examining these rates in the vicinity of the AGC Chemicals Europe factory in Thornton-Cleveleys has prompted significant public concern. These developments highlight the council's current involvement in national policy decisions and its role in addressing public health and environmental issues within its jurisdiction.