Councils back Combined County Authority proposals

By Tim Aldred

18 Mar 2024

Lancashire Devolution

Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council have all agreed to submit the county's historic devolution proposal to the government for parliamentary approval.

The three councils have been working together with central government to secure a deal which will see powers and budgets devolved from central government to Lancashire.

The Lancashire Combined County Authority (CCA) aims to help address years of historically low investment in the area and provide a platform for accelerated growth.

It will provide a single body for the whole of Lancashire to champion its interests, deliver on local priorities and provide greater local accountability and decision-making powers.

In partnership with business and public service providers, including district councils, it aims to give Lancashire a stronger voice on the regional and national stage, ensuring greater benefit from funding and other opportunities.

An initial £20m capital funding will be unlocked when parliamentary approval is secured to support innovation led growth and net zero ambitions across Lancashire. 

Under the government's devolution framework, it is proposed that further powers and funding will then be devolved to the CCA including for adult education.

The decision followed a public consultation which showed the majority of respondents supported the creation of a the Lancashire CCA.

Many of Lancashire's largest and most strategic employers and organisations, including all five universities operating in the county, also showed their support through both the formal consultation and letters of support.

Leading companies included Euro Garages, Eric Wright Group, Merlin Entertainments and Avanti West Coast together with business representative groups such as the Local Enterprise Partnership, East Lancashire and North and West Lancashire Chambers of Commerce and Industry all said they were in favour.

Coun Phillippa Williamson, leader of the county council, said: "This is another historic day for Lancashire and another huge stride towards our ambition of creating an even more prosperous county. Together with my fellow leaders we have a shared vision of Lancashire reaching its true potential, with local decisions made here and not in London.

"Our county is already a brilliant place to live and work. We have amazing foundations and already achieve so much, but we know we can be even better.

"This devolution deal will give us the tools to make things happen and improve our communities. It really is brilliant news for our county and I can't wait for our deal to be confirmed by parliament."

The Secretary of State is expected to lay an order in parliament to establish the new combined authority before the summer recess, with the new LCCA being established by the Autumn.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 open for applications Taste Lancashire Producers awards

Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 open for applications

15 Sep 2025

2

Stuart Buckley appointed head of sales and account management at Netcentrix Stuart Buckley

Stuart Buckley appointed head of sales and account management at Netcentrix

15 Sep 2025

3

Preston City Council pushes for fair pay Coun Valerie Wise

Preston City Council pushes for fair pay

15 Sep 2025

4

University of Lancashire increases state-of-the-art dentistry teaching facilities New dental facilities at University of Lancashire

University of Lancashire increases state-of-the-art dentistry teaching facilities

15 Sep 2025

5

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft David Nichol John Garnett Aydan Jones and Laura Tilley

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft

12 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin