First year of milestones for Lancashire County Combined Authority

Adopting a growth plan for the county and receiving an initial £20m devolution funding are among the major milestones achieved by the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) in its first year. 

The LCCA was officially launched on the 5th February 2025 and held its inaugural meeting at County Hall in Preston on 11th March 2025.

Its creation was an important step in bringing more powers to Lancashire to benefit both residents and businesses, and to champion the county on the regional and national stage.

Since its first meeting the LCCA has made significant progress and also includes: 

• Adopting the Lancashire Growth Plan which maps £20bn of additional public and private investment opportunities
• An initial £20m of devolution funding used to progress projects including the Innovation Hub at Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, Blackpool's flagship digital infrastructure project Silicon Sands and new office for the DWP, and Blackburn's Cyber Campus and Innovation Quarter
• £20m of government funding used to deliver key benefits across the county, including business support and employment and skills provision
• Adopting the Get Lancashire Working Plan which supports people who face barriers such as health conditions or disadvantages to find a job
• Consulting on the Local Transport Plan which aims to transform travel choices, unleash Lancashire's economic potential and integrate new technologies
  With a population of 1.53 million residents and a Gross Value Added (GVA) of £40bn, Lancashire already makes a significant contribution and holds enormous potential for the future.

The LCCA will continue its work to ensure the county has the powers and investment needed to thrive.

The LCCA has big plans for 2026 including submitting a bid for £20m of Local Innovation Partnership funding to underpin activity around defence, security and critical national infrastructure.

It also wants to become the Local Transport Authority for Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council on 1st April with a funding settlement valued at over £640m over the next four years.

Other ambitions include taking on responsibility for Adult Skills Fund of £40m and supporting more than 36,000 Lancashire resident and attending the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREIIF) in May. This brings together more than 16,000 delegates together with a focus on unlocking investment and driving regeneration and development.

Councillor Stephen Atkinson, chairman of the LCCA and leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "Over the past year, the Lancashire Combined County Authority has shown exactly what can be achieved when we bring our county together with a shared ambition.

"We have already delivered real progress, unlocking millions of pounds in funding to support people and businesses across the county and also identified billions of pounds of investment opportunities.

"Lancashire's residents and businesses deserve the best opportunities, and we are showing that by putting the power in the hands of local leaders we can deliver investment and compete on the regional and national stage."

Coun Phil Riley, chair of the LCCA Transport Advisory Board and leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Devolving powers from Westminster to local areas such as Lancashire is the way forward and, although we are a long way behind some of our neighbours like Greater Manchester and Merseyside, it’s great news that the journey of catching up has begun.

"The residents of Lancashire deserve the best that we can achieve on their behalf."

Coun Lynn Williams, chair of the LCCA Economy Advisory Board and leader of Blackpool Council, said:

"Lancashire is stronger when we all pull together with a common cause to make life better for the people who live here.

"The first year of the Combined County Authority has shown that as a collective we can deliver better outcomes for the people we serve, from having a more joined up approach to transport, skills and investment, to making sure our combined voice is heard loudly across the country that Lancashire means business.

"It has also shown that the government is starting to take Lancashire seriously, with devolution packages that have helped create jobs and opportunities for local people. Our next step is to make sure that our voice continues to be heard, and we can access more public and private investment to make our collective home towns better."