Councillor Simon Blackburn

Councillor Blackburn has been leader of Blackpool Council since the local elections in May 2011. He is a Housing Association Executive by profession and combines a career working with Bay Housing Association on the Fylde Coast with his role as leader of the unitary authority. He was first elected to the council in 2003 and his previous experience includes working as a Social Worker and as an MP’s researcher.

His administration is focusing on steps to bring additional private sector investment into Blackpool and the wider Fylde Coast, to create improved job opportunities for all. It is delivering a number of major projects including property rationalisation for the council, which will lead to a £220m Blackpool Business District development in the northern area of the town centre.

He is also overseeing the introduction of a Fairness Commission for Blackpool, which will focus on ensuring equality is at the heart of public service delivery across the borough, and in 2011 he completed the establishment of Marketing Blackpool to help promote the town as Europe's biggest and best loved holiday destination.

He sees Lancashire Enterprise Partnership's key role as helping the county to compete on an international stage to attract investment and create jobs.