Uncertainty over devo deal progress after election call

By Ged Henderson

24 May 2024

Lancashire Devolution

A question mark hangs over the progress of Lancashire’s devolution deal following Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a snap general election.

Lancashire local government officers are now in talks with central government officials over the impact it will have on the devo deal timetable.

The agreement that has been reached to create a Lancashire Combined County Authority (CCA) has to be approved by parliament. And the deal can only be confirmed once that legislation is made.

In March, Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council agreed to submit the county’s historic devolution proposal to the government for that approval.

Levelling up, housing and communities secretary Michael Gove was expected to lay an order in parliament to establish the new combined authority before the summer recess, with the new CCA being established by the autumn.

However, the calling of the July 4 general election means that the dissolution of parliament will take place on Thursday, May 30.

There is a period of several days, known as ‘wash-up’, between an election being called and the dissolution of parliament.

During that time parliament will continue as normal, but any business not completed by the end of it will not enter into law and cannot be continued into the next parliament. A number of bills have fallen by the wayside as a result.

Asked by Lancashire Business View what impact the calling of the election would have on the devo timetable, a county council spokesperson said: “We firmly believe that a devolution deal continues to be in the best interests of both Lancashire’s residents and businesses.

“Officers are now in discussion with government officials regarding the impact the calling of the general election will have on the progression of the Lancashire Combined County Authority regulations.”

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

The CCA aims to provide a single body for the whole of the county to champion its interests, deliver on local priorities and provide greater local accountability and decision-making powers.

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.

A public consultation showed the majority of respondents supported the deal. Many of Lancashire’s largest and most strategic employers and organisations, including all five universities operating in the county, also showed their approval through both the formal consultation and by letters of support.

However, a number of district councils in the county have said they could not support the deal in its present form.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake Lucy Field, Kate Walsh, Ellie Fisher, Zainab Aswat, Reece Jones, Aisha Bibi Patel, Finley Vila, Uzair Zariwala, Richard Prest, and Charlie Harrison

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake

11 Sep 2025

2

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment Andrew Grove

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment

11 Sep 2025

3

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November Gary McEwan managing director of Interfloor

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November

10 Sep 2025

4

Lancashire Combined County Authority unveil plan to Get Lancashire Working Lancashire Combined Authority

Lancashire Combined County Authority unveil plan to Get Lancashire Working

10 Sep 2025

5

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration Collaboration between BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration

09 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

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

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

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

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

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

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 LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin