New Combined County Authority is officially launched
Lancashire's new combined county authority (CCA) has officially come into being.
The Statutory Instrument which enabled the formation of the new body passed through the final legislative process in Parliament late last week and has now been formerly signed by Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution.
The creation of the CCA is a hugely important step as it will see powers currently held by central government passed to decision makers in Lancashire.
Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council have been working together to create the new CCA.
It will give local leaders extra powers to tackle key priorities such as better public transport, boosting economic prosperity and improving employment and skills.
The CCA is also set to 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 county 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, it will give Lancashire a stronger voice on the regional and national stage, ensuring greater benefit from funding and other opportunities.
The first meeting of the new authority will be held at County Hall in Preston on Tuesday March 11.
The board is made up of representatives of the three councils alongside two district council representatives and the chairman of Lancashire's Business Board.
Members of the public will be able attend or watch the meeting on-line.
Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "I am delighted that after all our hard work the CCA is now an entity in its own right.
"This is a hugely significant achievement for our county, but it is also just our first step in bringing more powers to Lancashire to benefit both our residents and businesses
"We really want to make a difference to the lives of people who live and work here, and we are definitely best placed to make the important decisions that matter to our county."
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “It’s great news that the new authority has finally been established by Parliament.
"It’s been a long haul but this final step is evidence of the ability of the three major Councils to work together for the betterment of the whole of Lancashire.
"This is an important first step that sees a number of powers and the associated money brought nearer to the local people and businesses that they affect the most.”
Councillor Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “This is a historic moment for the county and for Blackpool.
"Its hugely important that we have made it this far and are now recognised officially as a Combined County Authority.
"For our residents it means we can make more decisions about local issues locally and we have already seen some investment in Blackpool as a result of this.
“I very much look forward to working as a new Combined County Authority and deepening devolution further to bring more powers and investment to our communities”.
Notes to Editors
Negotiations for the new CCA began in May 2023 when top Government officials were invited to Lancashire to discuss a devolution deal for the county. Top Government officials invited to Lancashire to discuss devolution deal | Lancashire County Council News
In November 2023, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt MP, announced the Government was prepared to offer a Level 2 devolution deal to Lancashire which was signed later that month. Historic devolution deal signed with Lancashire | Lancashire County Council News
An eight week public consultation then followed which 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. Devolution supported in public consultation | Lancashire County Council News
In September 2024, Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, told leaders the statutory tests to implement the devolution proposal had been met and the Statutory Instrument to create the new authority was laid in Parliament on November 26, on the eve of Lancashire Day. The Time is Now for devolution in Lancashire | Lancashire County Council News Formation of Lancashire Combined County Authority takes major step forward | Lancashire County Council News
In the same month the Government released £20million of funding agreed as part of the devolution deal to create the new CCA, which is funding a number of projects supporting place-based economic regeneration, innovation-led growth and net zero ambitions. Government set to release £20m in preparation for new combined authority | Lancashire County Council News
Late last week, the Statutory Instrument which enabled the formation of the new body passed through the final legislative process in Parliament and has now been formerly signed by Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution. For more information visit Welcome | Lancashire Combined County Authority