Mayors and combined authorities
Lancashire
Councils in Lancashire working together on things that cross their borders. There is no elected mayor here.
Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) is a non-mayoral Foundation Strategic Authority with the functions and funding associated with that tier.
The mayor
This authority has no directly elected mayor.
What it decides
The law gives every authority of this kind powers under these headings:
- Transport and Infrastructure
- Skills and Employment Support
- Housing and Strategic Planning
- Economic Development and Regeneration
- Environment and Net Zero
- Health, Wellbeing and Public Service Reform
- Public Safety
- Culture
- Rural Affairs and Coastal Communities
Do all combined authorities do the same things?
The specifics of the powers of MSAs vary from place to place but typically include aspects of transport, skills, housing, and local infrastructure investment, and in some cases spatial planning, policing, health and employment support.
Police
LCCA does not have a directly elected Mayor and therefore cannot hold Police and Crime Commissioner functions. However, LCCA’s geography does align with Lancashire Police Force boundaries so a transfer of police functions would be possible should a Mayor be elected, subject to secondary legislation.
Fire and rescue
LCCA does not have a directly elected Mayor and therefore cannot hold Fire and Rescue Authority functions. However, LCCA’s geography does align with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Authority boundaries so LCCA could become the FRA should a Mayor be elected, subject to secondary legislation.
What’s different about how it is run
LCCA will continue to have different governance arrangements when it comes transport and local infrastructure functions. Firstly, a number of LCCA’s public transport powers are also held concurrently with its constituent councils to ensure that transport services owned and operated by Blackpool Council can continue to operate. Ordinarily, these functions would be held solely by the Strategic Authority. Secondly, any votes on the following matters must include the member appointed by Blackpool Borough Council in the majority for it to pass: a) any question which could result in a financial liability accruing to BTS Ltd; (b) any question which could have an impact on BTS Ltd which is significant, material and direct, as provided for in the Combined County Authority’s standing orders.
Lancashire County Council must appoint one of its members as the ‘lead member’.
A unanimous vote is required when voting on:
- LCCA’s budget
- appointment of LCCA’s chief executive
- adoption of a Local Transport Plan
- approval or amendment of LCCA’s constitution or standing orders
For votes to be carried, members from the relevant constituent council must be in the majority when a function is being exercised by LCCA in its area in a way that could result in a financial liability falling on that council. If Lancashire County Council is the relevant constituent council, the lead member must be in the majority.
LCCA will retain some different powers in relation to workplace parking levy schemes and permit schemes.
Councils in its area
Its constituent councils are Lancashire County, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool.
Every council in its area:
Its own pages
- Website
- lancashire-cca.gov.uk
- Meetings and decisions
- Not yet read.
- Budget
- Not yet read.