make key decisions locally, and ensure they have a say on how to shape the future of their area instead of having it imposed on them from Westminster.
“We want to work closely with them to unlock this area’s untapped potential, and keep the red rose of Lancashire blooming proudly.”
The three local authorities say that the deal means an initial £20m capital funding will be unlocked to support innovation led growth and net zero ambitions across Lancashire, along with further powers and funding for adult education, transport, employment and skills.
Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “This is a very significant step forward in our devolution journey and we are very excited the necessary arrangements are set to be laid before Parliament.
“A lot of hard work has taken place to get us to this moment, and we know there is a lot more work to come, but we are committed to delivering this deal for Lancashire as we know the CCA will benefit the residents and businesses of our county.
“We know our county is already a brilliant place to live and work, but we also know that we can be even better if we are able to make more decisions locally, this is just the start and we are committed to exploring how we can go further.”
Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Frankly Speaking
FACING LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE
By Frank McKenna Downtown Lancashire in Business
The government has made economic growth the centrepiece of its strategy over the next four years.
Labour has also indicated that two of the levers it wishes to pull in order to deliver that objective are housebuilding and greater devolved powers to mayors and combined authorities.
It seems likely, therefore, that Lancashire won’t necessarily feature heavily in the investments that Rachel Reeves and Co plan to make – at least in the short-term.
The county only has itself to blame, having been forced to accept a devolution deal that would struggle to define itself as ‘League One’ never mind Premiership.
I am told that Angela Rayner and her team are far too busy to be getting distracted by the parochial politics in a county where some politicians appear to be more interested in protecting their own ‘fiefdoms’ than developing an aspirational agenda for growth –
meaning that we will be at the back of the devolution queue once again.
The county council and Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen unitary authorities will do their best to make the limited devo-deal Lancashire has secured work, whilst West Lancashire’s politicians, frustrated by the lack of progress on this agenda, have one eye on moving into the Liverpool City Region.
Perhaps Lancashire’s best hope will be through our MPs. All but one of them are Labour members, and people like Paul Foster, Maya Ellis, Oliver Ryan, and Chris Webb are likely to be influential Westminster voices.
Nonetheless, ‘tin eared’ local authorities really do need to get with the programme – and that includes delivering the new government’s housebuilding targets – if we are not going to see the county stay in the investment slow lane in the months and years ahead.
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK Phillippa Williamson
Council, said: “We have always been clear that increasing local control over powers and funds currently held in London will help to increase growth and prosperity in Lancashire. We look forward to working with county colleagues and the Labour government to continue to embed the process of devolution.”
And Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council added: “I very much look forward to being able to implement our plans for Lancashire that will benefit residents across the whole of Lancashire and not least here in Blackpool.
“It is really important that decisions that affect our residents here in Lancashire are made at a local level.”
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