10 IN VIEW
THE OFFER TO LANCASHIRE The devolution agreement includes:
• The formation of the Lancashire Combined County Authority (CCA) to provide overall vision and leadership, seek the best value for taxpayers’ money, and be accountable to local residents.
• The integration of relevant functions of the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership into the Lancashire CCA, ensuring that there continues to be a strong and independent local business voice in the form of a Lancashire Business Board which informs local decision making and strategic economic planning.
In absorbing the role and functions of the Growth Lancashire Company, LEP Growth and Skills and Employment Hub, LEP investment team, destination management/ visitor economy, the Lancashire CCA will deliver a number of functions on behalf of the central government departments.
• New powers to better shape local skills provisions to ensure these meet the needs of the local economy. This will include devolution of adult education functions and the core adult education budget, and the opportunity to provide input into Local Skills Improvement Plans.
• New powers to improve and better integrate local transport, including the ability to introduce bus franchising subject to approval from the secretary of state for transport,
and control of appropriate local transport functions, for example responsibility for an area-wide local transport plan.
• Subject to funding, policy and delivery considerations at the next Spending Review, UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) planning and delivery at a strategic level from 2025/26.
• The ability to exercise compulsory purchase powers to help drive the regeneration of the area and to build more affordable homes, subject to the agreement of the local authority where the relevant land is located.
• Up to £20m capital funding in the current Spending Review period to support innovation led growth, including assets to maximise the benefits of National Cyber Force HQ, and net zero ambitions across Lancashire. This investment is subject to agreement of the relevant business cases.
• Strengthening the local visitor economy, reinforcing Lancashire’s attractive and vibrant cultural and creative sector through the formation of a wider Lancashire visitor offer, encompassing Blackpool and nationally significant investments such as Eden North, with facilities and events of regional and national significance, aligned to the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP)
The deal will also look to deliver innovation-led growth, including working with government to capitalise on Lancashire’s economic potential
WE ARE PROUD TO BE A BEACON OF SUSTAINABILITY
Burnley College has a real focus on embedding sustainability across all of its curricula. Our Low Carbon Hub provides learners and employers with emerging technologies, addressing the sustainability agenda.
It’s clear that the college needs to keep communicating with employers and specialists about the challenges faced around Net Zero and be proactive.
We have set up a Sustainability Skills Advisory Group, advising the college and others in Lancashire on emerging technologies in different sectors, upskilling needs across the county and engaging learners of all in the sustainability agenda.
We’ve all seen news of the Cop28 Climate Change Conference and while global leaders may struggle to agree on change, I’m proud to say Burnley College is a beacon of sustainability.
In fact, we organised a fortnight of Cop28 activities for learners.
There was a roundtable discussion with top employers, providing students with insights
Neil Burrows
into how businesses address sustainability and to share ideas and concerns.
A ‘Question Time’ debate with politicians allowed students to question them on environmental policies, holding them accountable for the future.
Burnley College’s actions are testament to our commitment to sustainability. We don’t simply talk about change, we live it, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to do the same – whatever path they take.
North West Business Training, Burnley College’s training arm, leads pioneering training programmes in ‘green’ skills. The demand for these skills is growing as businesses see they are the future.
Since the launch of the Themis Apprentice Sustainability Framework, every new apprentice completes a ‘green’ module, contributing sustainable ideas for the workplace and producing a report for their employer to action.
Standing on the edge of the sustainability debate, looking in, can be daunting. There’s so much information and it’s hard to see how it may impact your business or sector.
So, here’s my advice … start by educating yourself and those around you. Consider how your actions impact the environment, every step counts towards a greener future.
Contact me at
NBurrows@burnley.ac.uk – I’d love to hear how you’ve implemented green practices or help you take the first step.
in growing the energy and low carbon sector, and to improve urban quality and help address poor health.
Once the CCA has been established, further devolved functions and consolidated funding may be agreed over time and included in future legislation. This will be subject to the area’s status as a Level Two devolved area.
GOVERNANCE
The Lancashire CCA will be made up of four elected members - a lead member for each constituent council and one further member appointed by the county council.
There will also be two non-constituent members, nominated by the district and borough councils to represent the interests of the councils on the CCA.
And the authority will also include two associate or non-constituent members, to be appointed by the CCA.
Proposals for decisions by the CCA may be put forward by any constituent member. All constituent members will have one vote. Constituent members will work towards the ‘principle of unanimity’ of all key decisions.
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