Formation of Lancashire Combined County Authority takes major step forward

By Rob Kelly

27 Nov 2024

Lancashire Day celebration

Lancashire's devolution deal has taken a major step forward.

Yesterday the Statutory Instrument which will enable the formation of the new body was laid in Parliament.

The first shadow meeting of the organisation was also held at County Hall in Preston, in preparation for the first full meeting of the authority in the new year.

The two major developments were announced at a reception attended by businesses and major stakeholders to celebrate Lancashire Day.

Already the Government has released £20million of funding agreed as part of the devolution deal to create the new Lancashire Combined County Authority, which was signed last November and confirmed in September.

The money will fund a number of projects supporting place-based economic regeneration, innovation-led growth and net zero ambitions.

Further powers and funding for adult education, transport, employment and skills will also be unlocked when the new authority comes into being.

The 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 the 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 eight week public consultation showed the majority of respondents, including all four of Lancashire universities as well as businesses across every sector of industry and the economy, supported the creation of the CCA.

Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "This is another major step towards the setting up of the CCA and we are now within touching distance of its creation.

"I passionately believe that the new authority is in the best interests of our residents and businesses, and means that more decisions affecting local people can be made right here in Lancashire.

"For us the formation of the CCA is just the beginning of what we hope to achieve and we will be looking for every opportunity to bring more money and powers to our county once it is up and running."

Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “ We are pleased that the government has listened to Lancashire and has started the parliamentary process towards devolution. We are ready to work with them on the next stage.

"It’s a very positive step forward after a lot of uncertainty about what the future looks like. We are all fully focused on making sure communities across Lancashire benefit from devolution with transport and skills high on the agenda.”

Councillor Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We are now starting to see some progress and momentum around the establishment of a Combined County Authority. With the release of £20 million from Government and now also the ability to form a new body which will deliver some key strategic projects for the benefit of our communities.

 “On Lancashire Day it seems fitting that these significant milestones have been achieved. We are at the beginning of our devolution journey and I’m really pleased that these important steps have been taken. I very much look forward to exploring what else devolution could deliver for our residents across Blackpool and Lancashire."

Speaking at the event, Lynn Williams added the journey to a combined authority had 'started over a decade ago' and 'there have been many false starts and trips down blind alleys'.

"The first meeting of the CCA will be in February 2025 - a dawn for a new era for Lancashire," she said.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 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
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

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

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