Business leader calls for Lancashire Combined Authority

The chief executive of leading business lobbying organisation and networking club Downtown in Business has called on the county’s private sector leaders to support the establishment of a Combined Authority for Lancashire.

“Whilst Manchester is firmly on the devolution train, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield are sorting out their tickets to get on board. If we are not careful, the train is going to leave the station without Lancashire – and when it returns there will only be places left in standard class.

“Devolution offers additional powers and resource around the issues that can help drive and grow our economy, such as training and skills and business support.

“Lancashire should be at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse. At the moment we are sitting on the side­lines, without a voice and without the influence we as a county our size should have.”

“I would ask all of you to write to your local political leaders and MPs and demand them to get their act together on this vital issue.” Among the awards presented at the glittering Lancashire Business Awards dinner were the Personality of the Year prize, which went to internationally renowned business coach Michael Finnigan of i2i, and the Business of the Year, which was won by Recycling Lives.