{{about|the district in Lancashire|the district in Worcestershire|Wyre Forest District}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}} {{Use British English|date=July 2012}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Wyre | type = Borough and non-metropolitan district <!-- images and maps ----------->| image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox| perrow = 1/2| total_width = 260|align=center | image1 = Looking across the Wyre estuary to Fleetwood - geograph.org.uk - 3139781.jpg | image2 = Shopping area, Poulton-le-Fylde - geograph.org.uk - 3314708.jpg | image3 = High Street, Garstang - geograph.org.uk - 5067356.jpg | image4 = Thorton Cleveleys (7296247012).jpg | image5 = Coastal Path, Preesall - geograph.org.uk - 2296471.jpg }} | image_caption = {{ubl|From left to right|Top: Fleetwood from across the Wyre Esturary |Middle: Poulton-le-Fylde and Garstang town centres |Bottom: Thornton-Cleveleys seafront with Blackpool in the distance and Preesall coastal path on the Wyre Coast}} | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_type = Coat of Arms of the City Council | image_map = Wyre UK locator map.svg | map_caption = Wyre shown within Lancashire and England | subdivision_type = Sovereign state | subdivision_name = United Kingdom | subdivision_type1 = Constituent country | subdivision_name1 = England | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = North West England | subdivision_type3 = Ceremonial county | subdivision_name3 = Lancashire | seat_type = Admin. HQ | seat = Poulton-le-Fylde | government_type = Wyre Borough Council | leader_title2 = MPs: | leader_name2 = Lorraine Beavers, Cat Smith | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | established_title = Founded | established_date = 1974 | founder = | area_rank = {{English district area rank|GSS=E07000128}} | area_total_km2 = {{formatnum:{{English district area|GSS=E07000128}}|R}} | area_footnotes = <ref>{{United Kingdom district population citation|area}}</ref> | latd = | latm = | lats = | latNS = | longd = | longm = | longs = | longEW = | population_as_of = {{English statistics year}} | population_total = {{English district population|GSS = E07000128}} | population_rank = {{English district rank|GSS=E07000128}} | population_density_km2 = auto | population_footnotes = <ref>{{United Kingdom district population citation|England}}</ref> | timezone = Greenwich Mean Time | utc_offset = +0 | timezone_DST = British Summer Time | utc_offset_DST = +1 | postal_code_type = Postcode | postal_code = <!-- XX --> | area_code = | blank_name = ISO 3166-2 | blank_info = <!-- GB-?? --> | blank1_name = ONS code | blank1_info = 30UQ (ONS)<br />E07000128 (GSS) | blank2_name = OS grid reference | blank2_info = <!-- {{gbmappingsmall|####}} --> | blank3_name = NUTS 3 | blank3_info = <!-- UKG## -->|<!-- demographics (section 1) --> | demographics_type1 = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span> | demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000128|title=Wyre Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref> | demographics1_title1 = Ethnic groups | demographics1_info1 = {{Collapsible list | 97.5% White | 1% Mixed | 1% Asian | 0.3% other | 0.2% Black }} <!-- demographics (section 2) -->| demographics_type2 = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span> | demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/> | demographics2_title1 = Religion | demographics2_info1 = {{Collapsible list | 59.8% Christianity | 33.7% no religion | 5.1% not stated | 0.4% other | 0.4% Islam | 0.3% Buddhism | 0.2% Hinduism | 0.1% Judaism | 0.1% Sikhism }} }}
'''Wyre''' is a local government district with borough status on the coast of Lancashire, England. The council is based in Poulton-le-Fylde and the borough also contains the towns of Cleveleys, Fleetwood, Garstang, Preesall and Thornton, along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. Some of the borough's built-up areas form part of the wider Blackpool urban area. Eastern parts of the borough lie within the Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The borough is named after the River Wyre, which runs through the area and meets the sea at Fleetwood. There are no road or rail connections between the parts of the borough either side of the Wyre estuary, and it is necessary to cross the neighbouring Fylde district in order to travel between the two parts of Wyre, or else use the Wyre Estuary Ferry between Fleetwood and Knott End.
The neighbouring districts are Blackpool, Fylde, Preston, Ribble Valley and Lancaster.
==History== The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, as a non-metropolitan district covering the territory of five former districts, which were abolished at the same time:<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|accessdate=22 August 2022}}</ref> *Fleetwood Municipal Borough *Garstang Rural District *Poulton-le-Fylde Urban District *Preesall Urban District *Thornton-Cleveleys Urban District
The new district was named Wyre after the River Wyre.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|accessdate=22 August 2022}}</ref> The new district was awarded borough status from its creation, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1974/mar/28/district-councils-and-boroughs#S5CV0871P0_19740328_CWA_145|title=District Councils and Boroughs|date=28 March 1974|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|access-date=16 January 2012}}</ref>
==Governance== {{Infobox legislature | name = Wyre Borough Council | native_name = | transcription_name = | legislature = | logo_pic = Wyre Council logo.svg | logo_res = 250px | house_type = Non-metropolitan district | body = | houses = | leader1_type = Mayor | leader1 = Steve Nicholls | party1 = <br/>Conservative | election1 = 15 May 2025<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 15 May 2025 |url=https://wyre.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=135&MId=2051 |website=Wyre Council |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> | leader2_type = Leader | leader2 = Michael Vincent | party2 = <br>Conservative | election2 = 1 December 2022 | leader3_type = Chief Executive | leader3 = Rebecca Huddleston | party3 = <!-- Non-political role --> | election3 = 1 April 2023<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Richard |title=New Year brings in new start for Wyre Council's incoming chief executive Rebecca Huddleston |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/new-year-brings-in-new-start-for-wyre-councils-incoming-chief-executive-rebecca-huddleston-3968011 |access-date=20 October 2023 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=28 December 2022}}</ref> | members = 50 councillors | structure1 = | structure1_res = 250px | political_groups1 = ;Administration (27) :{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Conservative (27)}} ;Other parties (23) :{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Labour (15) :{{Color box|{{party color|Reform UK}}|border=darkgray}} Reform UK (4) :{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} Independent (4)}} | committees1 = | committees2 = | joint_committees = | voting_system1 = Plurality block voting | last_election1 = 4 May 2023 | next_election1 = 6 May 2027 | session_room = Poulton Civic Centre - geograph.org.uk - 1269699 (crop).jpg | session_res = 250px | meeting_place = Civic Centre, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6{{nbsp}}7PU | website = {{url|www.wyre.gov.uk}} | footnotes = }}
Wyre Borough Council, which styles itself "Wyre Council", provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Lancashire County Council. Much of the borough is covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><ref name=electionmaps>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=17 October 2023}}</ref>
===Political control=== The council has been under Conservative majority control since 1999.
The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Since 1974 political control of the council has been as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Wyre" in search box to see specific results.)</ref><ref name=hold>{{cite news| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2007/councils/html/30uq.stm | title = Wyre | access-date = 2009-10-23 | work = BBC News Online}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |- !colspan="2"|Party in control!! Years |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1974–1995 |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1995–1999 |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1999–present |}
===Leadership=== The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Wyre. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 2010 have been:
{| class=wikitable ! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To |- | Russ Forsyth<ref name=gazette1Nov2018/> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right| || align=right|Mar 2010 |- | Peter Gibson<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 28 September 2017 |url=https://wyre.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=135&MId=296 |website=Wyre Council |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=gazette1Nov2018>{{cite news |title=Peter Gibson former Wyre Council leader |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/peter-gibson-former-wyre-council-leader-it-is-fair-to-say-that-i-believe-personal-animosity-and-personal-ambition-is-a-factor-in-this-issue-227191 |access-date=23 August 2022 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=1 November 2018}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|Mar 2010 || align=right|28 Sep 2017 |- | David Henderson<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 7 December 2017 |url=https://wyre.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=135&MId=299 |website=Wyre Council |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=1Dec2022/> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|7 Dec 2017 || align=right|30 Nov 2022 |- |Michael Vincent<ref name=1Dec2022>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 1 December 2022 |url=https://wyre.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=135&MId=1623 |website=Wyre Council |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|1 Dec 2022 || |}
===Composition=== Following the 2023 election,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2023/may/04/elections-2023-results-live-local-council-england#le-full-results|title=Local elections 2023: live council results for England|work=The Guardian|date=9 May 2023 |last1=Voce |first1=Antonio |last2=Leach |first2=Anna |last3=Hoog |first3=Niels de |last4=Torpey |first4=Paul |last5=Clarke |first5=Seán }}</ref> and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to May 2025, the composition of the council was:<ref name=Thorncliffe>{{cite web |title=Wyre |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=wyre |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" ! colspan=2| Party ! Councillors |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} | align=center|27 |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} | align=center|15 |- | {{Party name with colour|Reform UK}} | align=center|4 |- | {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} | align=center|4 |- ! colspan=2|Total ! align=center|50 |}
The next election is due in 2027.<ref name=Thorncliffe/>
===Elections=== {{also|Wyre Borough Council elections}} Since the last boundary changes in 2015 the council has comprised 50 councillors representing 24 wards, with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Wyre (Electoral Changes) Order 2014|year=2014|number=1187|access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref>
Wyre straddles three parliamentary constituencies: Lancaster and Wyre, Blackpool North and Fleetwood, and Flyde.<ref name=electionmaps/>
===Premises=== The council is based at the Civic Centre on Breck Road in Poulton-le-Fylde. The building was originally a large house called Woodlands, later serving as a convalescent hospital and teacher training college before becoming the council's headquarters in 1988.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Storey |first1=Christine |title=Poulton-le-Fylde Through Time |date=2012 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |location=Stroud |isbn=978-1445630380 |page=51 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-oOIAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT51 |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>
==Towns and parishes== Much of the borough is covered by civil parishes. The parish councils for Fleetwood, Garstang and Preesall have declared their parishes to be towns, allowing them to take the style "town council".<ref>{{cite web |title=Parish and Town Council clerks |url=https://www.wyre.gov.uk/directory/4/parish-and-town-council-clerks |website=Wyre Council |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> The former urban districts of Poulton-le-Fylde and Thornton-Cleveleys form an unparished area.<ref name=electionmaps/> thumb|center|400px|Civil parishes in the Borough of Wyre {{columns-list|colwidth=14em| #Barnacre-with-Bonds #Bleasdale #Cabus #Catterall #Claughton #Fleetwood (town) #Forton #Garstang (town) #Great Eccleston #Hambleton #Inskip-with-Sowerby #Kirkland #Myerscough and Bilsborrow #Nateby #Nether Wyresdale #Out Rawcliffe #Pilling #Preesall (town) #Stalmine-with-Staynall #Upper Rawcliffe with Tarnacre #Winmarleigh }} {{Location map+|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre | caption={{center|Towns, villages and hills in the Borough of Wyre {{legend inline|#e9ffd9|Forest of Bowland AONB|outline=silver}}}} | float=right | width=500 | places = {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.923|long=-3.015|label='''Fleetwood''' |position=bottom|marksize=12|label_size=100}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.847|long=-2.995|label='''Poulton-le-Fylde'''|marksize=12|label_size=100}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.871|long=-3.004|label='''Thornton'''|position=bottom|marksize=12|label_size=100}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.881|long=-3.040|label='''Cleveleys'''|marksize=12|label_size=100}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.903|long=-2.771|label={{raise|0.4em|'''Garstang'''}}|position=left|marksize=12|label_size=100}}
{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.854|long=-2.744|label=Bilsborrow|label_size=85|}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.902|long=-2.651|label={{lower|Bleasdale}}|label_size=85|position=left}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.897|long=-2.771|label=Bonds|label_size=85|}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.889|long=-2.767|label={{raise|0.15em|Bowgreave}}|label_size=85|}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.906|long=-2.711|label={{raise|Calder<br />Vale}}|label_size=85|position=left}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.854|long=-3.007|label=Carleton|label_size=85|position=left}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.880|long=-2.763|label={{raise|0.3em|Catterall}}|label_size=85|}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.880|long=-2.792|label=Churchtown|label_size=85|position=left}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.876|long=-2.722|label={{lower|Claughton}}|label_size=85|position=right}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.975|long=-2.733|label=Dolphinholme |label_size=85|position=left}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.900|long=-2.868|label=Eagland Hill|label_size=85|position=bottom}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.955|long=-2.782|label=Forton|label_size=85}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.855|long=-2.871|label=Great Eccleston|label_size=85|position=bottom}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.875|long=-2.954|label= Hambleton|label_size=85|position=top}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.834|long=-2.816|label=Inskip|label_size=85}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.927|long=-2.987|label={{raise|Knott End}}|label_size=85|}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.896|long=-2.817|label=Nateby|label_size=85|position=bottom}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.920|long=-2.703|label=Oakenclough|label_size=85|position=right}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.868|long=-2.907|label={{raise|Out Rawcliffe}}|label_size=85}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.929|long=-2.908|label=Pilling|label_size=85}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.921|long=-2.967|label=Preesall|label_size=85}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.863|long=-2.821|label=St Michael's-on-Wyre|label_size=85}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.933|long=-2.760|label=Scorton|label_size=85}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.901|long=-2.957|label=Stalmine|label_size=85}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.917|long=-2.817|label=Winmarleigh|label_size=85|position=left}}
{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.919|long=-2.615|label=''Fair Snape Fell''|label_size=85|position=bottom|mark=Green Fire.svg}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.957|long=-2.645|label=''Hawthornthwaite Fell''|label_size=85|position=bottom|mark=Green Fire.svg}} {{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of Wyre|lat=53.899|long=-2.617|label=''Parlick''|label_size=85|position=bottom|mark=Green Fire.svg}} }}
==Freedom of the Borough== The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Wyre. {{Expand list|date=April 2021}}
* Doreen Lofthouse: 13 June 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/mother-fleetwood-doreen-lofthouses-death-20304811|title = Mother of Fleetwood: Doreen Lofthouse's death leaves a community in mourning|date = April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/the-lozenge-which-took-over-the-world-3184465|title=The lozenge which took over the world}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/calls-for-statue-to-honour-doreen-lofthouse-3185053|title=Calls for statue to honour Doreen Lofthouse}}</ref> * The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment: 12 April 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/soldiers-are-set-march-through-streets-wyre-town-324721|title=Soldiers are set to march through the streets of this Wyre town}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-21 |title=Duke of Lancaster's Regiment: Freedom of Entry to the Borough |url=https://wyre.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s1265/Item%202.pdf |website=Wyre Council website}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20161119184711/http://www.wyre.gov.uk/ Wyre Council website]
{{Borough of Wyre}} {{Borough of Wyre buildings}} {{Borough of Wyre culture}} {{NW_England}} {{Lancashire}}
{{coord|53.900|-2.809|display=title|region:GB_scale:200000}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wyre, Borough of}} Category:Borough of Wyre Category:Local government in the Borough of Wyre Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Lancashire Category:Boroughs in England