County's combined authority officially launched

Lancashire's new Combined County Authority (CCA) has been officially launched.

The statutory instrument which enabled its formation passed through the final process in parliament and has now been formally signed by Jim McMahon, the minister of state for local government and English devolution.

The CCA is a partnership between Lancashire County Council (LCC), Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council and will see some powers currently held by central government passed to it.

It has not been without controversy, as some of the county district council leaders have previously expressed concern about how cash allocated to the CCA would be spent.

The county will have more powers and funding for things like adult education, transport, employment and skills, though the CCA has fewer powers and less funding than a mayoral model.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has invited all 21 two-tier areas - which have both county and district councils - to submit proposals to reorganise themselves into single "unitary" authorities.

She said: "Lancashire is already deciding its mayoral devolution options and we will look at their proposals in the autumn in parallel with the priority programme."

The first meeting of the new authority will be held at County Hall in Preston on 11 March.

The board is made up of representatives of the three councils alongside two district council representatives and the chairman of Lancashire's Business Board.

LCC leader Phillippa Williamson said it was a "hugely significant achievement" for the county but also "our first step in bringing more powers to Lancashire to benefit both our residents and businesses".

Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "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."

Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams said it was a "historic moment" for the county and for Blackpool.

"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," she added.

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