Leaders from Blackburn with Darwen Council have met with representatives from across the county as the formation of the new Lancashire Combined County Authority (CCA) took a step forward.

This week, the Statutory Instrument which will enable the formation of the new body was laid in Parliament. The first shadow meeting of the organisation was also held at County Hall in Preston, in preparation for the first full meeting of the authority in the new year.

The two major developments were announced at a reception attended by businesses and major stakeholders to celebrate Lancashire Day.

Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council have been working together to create a new CCA to give local leaders extra powers to tackle key priorities such as better public transport, boosting economic prosperity and improving employment and skills.   

The government has released £20m of funding agreed as part of the devolution deal to create the new CCA, which was signed last November and confirmed in September.

The money will fund a number of projects supporting place-based economic regeneration, innovation-led growth and net zero ambitions.

Further powers and funding for adult education, transport, employment and skills will also be unlocked when the new authority comes into being.

Leader of Lancashire County Council, Cllr Phillippa Williamson,  said: “This is another major step towards the setting up of the CCA and we are now within touching distance of its creation.

“I passionately believe that the new authority is in the best interests of our residents and businesses, and means that more decisions affecting local people can be made right here in Lancashire.

“For us the formation of the CCA is just the beginning of what we hope to achieve and we will be looking for every opportunity to bring more money and powers to our county once it is up and running.”

Cllr Phil Riley, said: “We are pleased that the government has listened to Lancashire and has started the parliamentary process towards devolution. We are ready to work with them on the next stage.

“It’s a very positive step forward after a lot of uncertainty about what the future looks like. We are all fully focused on making sure communities across Lancashire benefit from devolution with transport and skills high on the agenda.”

Leader of Blackpool Council, Cllr Lynn Williams, said: “We are now starting to see some progress and momentum around the establishment of a Combined County Authority.

"With the release of £20m from Government and now also the ability to form a new body which will deliver some key strategic projects for the benefit of our communities.

 “On Lancashire Day it seems fitting that these significant milestones have been achieved. We are at the beginning of our devolution journey and I’m really pleased that these important steps have been taken.

"I very much look forward to exploring what else devolution could deliver for our residents across Blackpool and Lancashire.”