The review is being overseen by a panel of national experts from a breadth of backgrounds, including academia, local government, and think tanks, to provide a truly independent view of the Lancashire economy.
It is being funded and commissioned by the county council, Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackpool Council and the LEP.
The findings will help to inform a long-term industrial strategy for Lancashire, a key piece of work being led by the LEP. It will also provide evidence to assess Lancashire’s current carbon footprint and aid the development of a “robust and realistic plan” to achieve net zero carbon.
The panel is now appealing to businesses to offer their input to help build as accurate and detailed picture of the local economy as possible as work begins on several further detailed pieces of research.
Rowena Burns, who chairs the independent panel, said: “Lancashire has a long and
proud history as a county where world class manufacturing sits alongside pride in place and a reputation for endeavour and innovation.
“The aim of the independent review is to produce a full picture of the Lancashire economy today, and a launchpad for recovery and growth which will be based on a firm foundation of well-researched evidence.”
Rowena adds: “With this initial study, we have outlined Lancashire’s main economic strengths and weaknesses, and identified where further, more detailed, research is needed to underpin a compelling Industrial Strategy and the evidence which will support investment decisions and future bids to government.
“Ultimately, the strategy will depend for success on the support of Lancashire’s people, so the next step is to work with partners, businesses and local people over the coming months to develop the detailed understanding we need.”
MPS IN CALL FOR CLARITY
A Lancashire MPs’ group has written to the chancellor Rishi Sunak seeking clarity over the government’s Levelling Up Fund and how its money will be allocated.
The £4.8bn fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.
In a move that has sparked controversy, when it comes to bidding for the cash every local authority in England has been ranked in order of priority.
The MPs want to know on what basis parts of Lancashire have been awarded their relevant status.
They are also anxious that any local government reorganisation will not put Lancashire at a disadvantage and have an adverse impact on the county’s share of the cash.
Morecambe and Lunesdale MP David Morris, who chairs the Lancashire All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), has signed the letter to the chancellor. He said: “As a group of MPs we are keen that Lancashire gets its fair share of government investment.
“At our last meeting we discussed how the Levelling Up Fund would be applied to our county, particularly if local government re- organisation takes place. We are seeking clarity on this from the chancellor.”
The letter to the chancellor says: “You will be aware that your Levelling Up Fund expects the main vehicle for bids to be councils with their priority having been predetermined in advance.
“It would be helpful, in order to maximise the fund for Lancashire, to understand
on what basis parts of Lancashire have been awarded their relevant status as this seems to be inconsistent.”
It adds: “Lancashire is committed to local government re-organisation, having previously submitted a bid to reform from a two-tier model to a unitary model incorporating an elected mayor and combined authority.
“As such, further clarity as to what this would mean in terms of eligibility for bids both in advance and during any re- organisation process would also be helpful.
“This is particularly relevant as eligibility for the fund must also, and rightly, consider support from local MPs, and the bids an authority can make is dependent upon parliamentary boundaries.
We are hopeful the chancellor
will take on board our points
“Clearly if a reorganisation bid for Lancashire was successful the current council boundaries would change quite dramatically making the current relationships with the MPs redundant.”
Mr Morris said: “This illustrates how Lancashire APPG brings Parliamentarians together to ensure our county has a stronger voice.
“We are hopeful the chancellor will take on board our points and avoid Lancashire receiving any disadvantage because it is moving towards new local government structures.”
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