Combined Authority of Merseyside
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| Combined Authority of Merseyside | |
|---|---|
| Name | Combined Authority of Merseyside |
| Established | 2014 |
| Jurisdiction | Merseyside |
| Region | North West England |
Combined Authority of Merseyside is a devolved regional body established to coordinate strategic functions across the metropolitan county of Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley, and Wirral. It was formed as part of the wave of devolution deals negotiated with the UK government and sits alongside other bodies such as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in regional governance. The authority brings together leaders from constituent councils and public institutions to deliver economic development, transport, and investment priorities across the Liverpool City Region and adjacent areas.
History
The origins trace to discussions following the 2009 publication of the Barker Review of Housing and the 2010 Localism Act 2011 reforms that reshaped sub-national arrangements. The authority was created after negotiations culminating in the 2014 Local Enterprise Partnership reconfigurations and devolution statements signed during the administration of Prime Minister David Cameron. Early milestones included the ratification of a devolution deal influenced by stakeholders such as the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, the Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from VisitBritain and Arts Council England. The creation paralleled developments in the Northern Powerhouse agenda and subsequent bilateral agreements under the premierships of Theresa May and Boris Johnson, with project funding allocations influenced by spending reviews and protocols agreed with the HM Treasury.
Governance and Structure
The authority's governance model comprises a combined mayoral arrangement alongside a board of leaders from constituent councils, reflecting structures similar to the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Tees Valley Combined Authority. Elected figures such as metro mayors coordinate with council leaders from Liverpool City Council, Sefton Borough Council, St Helens Borough Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Non-constituent members and observers have included representatives from bodies like the Merseyside Housing Trust, NHS England, Network Rail, and the Environment Agency. The authority operates committees mirroring arrangements used by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority—including scrutiny panels and an investment committee—to interface with national institutions such as the Department for Transport and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Powers and Responsibilities
Under its founding agreements the authority exercises devolved responsibilities in areas negotiated with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Treasury. These include strategic transport planning aligned with Transport for the North priorities, skills provision linked to Department for Education frameworks, and housing and regeneration programs coordinated with Homes England. The authority manages transport franchises and commission arrangements interacting with Merseyrail, Mersey Ferries, and franchising policy set by the Mayor of London only by analogy. It engages with national schemes such as the Local Growth Fund and regional initiatives administered by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It also collaborates with cultural institutions including the Tate Liverpool, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, and the Liver Building custodians for place promotion and heritage-led regeneration.
Economic Strategy and Investment
Economic strategy is driven by the partnership between the authority, the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, and private-sector stakeholders like the Liverpool BID Company, Peel Ports Group, and Siemens when involved in infrastructure projects. The strategy emphasizes advanced manufacturing clusters found around Knowsley Industrial Park, maritime growth at Port of Liverpool, visitor economy development tied to Albert Dock and World Museum Liverpool, and digital innovation linked to the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool and university partners such as University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University. Investment instruments have included local enterprise grants, growth deals negotiated with the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, and targeted funds for brownfield regeneration similar to schemes run by Homes England and Historic England.
Transport and Infrastructure
Transport functions include strategic oversight of regional networks, coordination with operators such as Merseyrail, integration of bus services across corridors serving Liverpool Lime Street station, Birkenhead, and Southport, and engagement with rail infrastructure managed by Network Rail. Major projects have intersected with national programmes like High Speed 2 planning debates and schemes funded through the Department for Transport and Local Growth Fund. The authority works with the Mersey Tunnels Police and the Merseytravel executive on ticketing, smartcard integration, and active travel initiatives, while interfacing with port operators at Port of Liverpool and utilities regulators including Ofwat and the Environment Agency on flood resilience and transport-linked infrastructure.
Budget and Finance
Funding streams combine devolved settlements negotiated with the HM Treasury, revenue from local business rates retention mechanisms pioneered under reforms supported by the Local Government Association, and capital grants from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The authority administers investment portfolios and borrowing powers within frameworks set by the Public Works Loan Board and reports financial plans consistent with audit regimes overseen by the National Audit Office and external auditors from firms such as Grant Thornton. Budget priorities have reflected negotiated deals for the Local Growth Fund, allocations from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and matched funding with private-sector partners including Peel Group and institutional investors.
Member Local Authorities and Representation
Constituent members are the metropolitan boroughs of Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley, and Wirral, each represented by their council leaders on the authority board. Elected representation includes the directly elected metro mayor and council leader membership paralleling arrangements used by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. The authority convenes with stakeholders from educational institutions such as Liverpool Hope University, health bodies like the NHS Merseyside Integrated Care Board, and cultural organisations including Liverpool Everyman Theatre to ensure coordinated regional representation and delivery of strategic priorities.