The Lancashire Combined Authority has been labelled a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring Lancashire together and make sure it is a key part of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’.
Councillor Alistair Bradley, who is Chair of the Council Leaders’ Group on Combined Authority matters, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and authorities in Lancashire to work together and bring more investment and jobs into the area and make sure we don’t get left behind.
“It is a chance for us to take on some of the powers from Central Government and ensure that we have a bigger influence on what happens in our proud county.
“I’d describe it a bit like the Lancashire pie – at the moment all the councils have a slice of the Lancashire pie and what a Combined Authority would do is give us the chance to make that pie bigger so we all get a bigger slice.”
Combined authorities give Enterprise Partnerships and councils a stronger voice to influence Central Government and draw down more powers, functions and funding to benefit the area and let locally elected people drive change.
They are not about local government re-organisation and would not result in the creation of a ‘super council’ or local authorities merging.
Each council would still be responsible for the services it provides.
You can also join the debate online using the hashtag #LancsCA.
The services a Combined Authority would include are transport, economic development, housing and regeneration.
The consultation starts on Monday 11 January and will run until Friday 19 February.
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