FAQs - Devolution
What is devolution?
Devolution is the transfer of powers, money, and responsibilities from central government to local areas, providing those areas with greater control over decisions that will affect them locally.
What is the Lancashire devolution deal?
Lancashire has agreed a Level 2 devolution deal between central government and Lancashire’s three authorities; Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council, and Blackburn with Darwen Council. This creating a newly established Lancashire Combined County Council (LCCA).
This agreement was signed in November 2023, and was officially launched in February 2025.
What is a Level 2 and Level 3 devolution deal?
A Level 2 devolution deal provides an authority with new powers, money, and responsibilities over area-wide services, but does not require a directly elected mayor.
A Level 3 devolution deal has a directly elected mayor, giving the area greater powers, money, and responsibilities over services compared to a Level 2 devolution deal.
What is the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA)?
The LCCA is a non-mayoral combined county authority (Level 2 devolution deal) established to oversee the devolved powers, money, and responsibilities passed down from central government, it does play a part in running local services.
Who leads the LCCA?
Usually, combined authorities are led by a directly elected mayor (Level 3 devolution deal). For example, Andy Burnham is the elected mayor leading the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Currently, the LCCA operates without a directly elected mayor (Level 2 devolution deal) and is led by a board of leaders from its constituent councils:
- Councillor Phillippa Williamson: Leader of Lancashire County Council
- Councillor Phil Riley: Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council
- Councillor Lynn Williams: Leader of Blackpool Council
- Councillor Alan Vincent: Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council
Rossendale Borough Council is not a constituent council, but the Leader does attend meetings as an observer.
Will there be an elected mayor for Lancashire?
The LCCA opted for a non-mayoral combined authority. However, there is potential for the devolution deal to be progressed from Level 2 to 3, which could involve establishing an elected mayor.
How will devolution benefit Lancashire?
The aim of devolution is to bring funding and decision-making closer to the local area, providing opportunities to develop policies and initiatives that better reflect the needs and priorities of local people.
Does the LCCA replace Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council, and Blackburn with Darwen Council?
The LCCA does not replace the three upper tier councils, but brings together their leaders for regional decision-making. The LCCA is responsible for county-wide issues such as transport, skills training, economic investment, and infrastructure. The upper tier councils will continue to operate as normal and provide the services they are responsible for until the new unitary councils are created as a result of Local Government Reorganisation. The Leaders of these new councils will be represented on the Lancashire Combined Authority.
What is the difference between devolution and local government reorganisation?
Devolution is the creation of a new regional decision-making body. Local government reorganisation is the creation of simpler local government structures to support devolution.