Uncertainty over devo deal progress after election call

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.