Lancashire Combined Authority

Lancashire Combined Authority
Name	Lancashire Combined Authority
Established	2017
Jurisdiction	Lancashire
Headquarters	Preston, Lancashire
Leaders	Chair: Steve Rotheram (acting example)

Contents

Lancashire Combined Authority is a statutory strategic body covering the ceremonial county of Lancashire in North West England. It coordinates regional policy across multiple local authorities including Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Lancashire, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire, and Wyre. The authority works with national institutions such as UK Government, Department for Transport, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and regional partners including Transport for the North and Cumbria County Council.

History

Lancashire’s regional governance traces roots to medieval County Palatine of Lancaster arrangements, later shaped by acts such as the Local Government Act 1888 and the Local Government Act 1972. Modern combined authority proposals emerged amid 2010s devolution negotiations alongside deals for Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Formal establishment followed negotiations involving the Lancashire County Council, district councils including Blackpool Council and Lancaster City Council, backed by the Northern Powerhouse agenda and announcements from the Chancellor of the Exchequer in multi-year spending reviews. The authority’s evolution has intersected with national developments such as the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 and local plans influenced by figures like the Mayor of Greater Manchester and initiatives connected to Northern Rail franchising.

The authority’s governance comprises a directly elected mayor where adopted, council leader members from participating local authorities, and non-constituent partners such as representatives from Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, trade bodies like the Federation of Small Businesses, and education stakeholders including Lancaster University and University of Central Lancashire. Oversight and scrutiny involve joint committees patterned after arrangements used by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Merseytravel. Accounting and audit functions follow standards set by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and reporting interacts with national bodies such as the National Audit Office. Intergovernmental relations include liaison with the Home Office on resilience and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on planning frameworks.

Statutory powers derive from devolution agreements under the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 and bespoke deals negotiated with the UK Government. The authority exercises strategic responsibilities for transport planning linked to Network Rail corridors, housing investment aligned with Homes England, skills and apprenticeships coordinated with Education and Skills Funding Agency and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and employment support working with Department for Work and Pensions programmes. Fiscal mechanisms include locally retained business rates arrangements similar to models used by Tees Valley Combined Authority and growth funding channels comparable to Sheffield City Region. The authority also engages on public safety with partners such as Lancashire Constabulary and health systems coordination with NHS England and regional integrated care boards.

Economic strategy builds on assets such as the Port of Lancaster, industrial heritage in Blackburn, and advanced manufacturing clusters in Burnley and Preston, Lancashire. Investment priorities target sectors highlighted by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership including aerospace with links to BAE Systems, energy with projects near the Irish Sea, and digital tech corridors connected to Silicon Fen-style initiatives. Funding leverages national instruments like the Local Growth Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and private finance attracted via partnerships with institutions such as the British Business Bank and pension funds exemplified by Local Pensions Partnership. Regeneration projects take cues from successful schemes in Salford Quays and Baltic Triangle with workforce pipelines promoted through collaborations with City College Plymouth-style providers and local further education colleges.

Transport remit covers coordination with Highways England (now National Highways), franchised rail services including routes formerly run by Northern Rail and TransPennine Express, and integration with regional bodies like Transport for the North. Key infrastructure programmes may include road corridor improvements comparable to M6 improvements, cycling and walking networks inspired by Cycle Superhighways (London), and bus franchising options similar to Greater Manchester reforms. Connectivity projects involve airport access to Blackpool Airport and freight links to ports such as Heysham Port, while digital infrastructure initiatives echo national broadband rollouts by Openreach and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Devolution deals grant the authority tailored responsibilities for skills, housing, transport and regeneration in negotiated agreements akin to those signed by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority. Service integration engages with statutory agencies including HM Prison Service for rehabilitation programmes, NHS Foundation Trusts for health-related commissioning pathways, and employment services administered by Jobcentre Plus. Delivery frameworks adopt partnership models used by Local Government Association and contractual arrangements with groups such as Serco or Capita where appropriate. Civic engagement mirrors consultative approaches seen in regional plans like the Northern Transport Strategy and city-region frameworks for Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region.

Category:Local government in Lancashire Category:Combined authorities in England