County leaders launch £5.6bn devolution bid
LANCASHIRE is poised to ask the government to pump £5.6bn into the county as part of a longawaited devolution bid.
Council leaders have made a historic pledge to work together to deliver a bold vision for a County Deal to benefit the people of the county.
For months, all 15 constituent council leaders - including Hyndburn’s - have been working in close collaboration to develop a set of ambitious and forward-thinking proposals.
If adopted they would represent a New Deal for a Greater Lancashire across a range of areas including the economy, transport, jobs, skills and the environment.
Lancashire County Council (LCC), the 12 district councils, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council are to consider setting up a new formal body to help drive cooperation to the next level to help secure a deal with government.
In July 2021, as part of its levelling up plans, the government announced it would introduce County Deals as part of its devolution plans, with the aim of transferring powers from Whitehall to local areas.
All 15 councils that comprise Greater Lancashire will discuss these proposals at full council meetings, where they will be asked to agree a joint report.
Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson said: “Of course not everyone is going to get their way, but we might be better to have consensus and get something and not nothing.
“Like I’ve tried to do in
Hyndburn it’s better if you come together as politicians and stop trying to play political games or oneupmanship.
“We have to sit down in a room and come to an agreement.
“Some way we have to come into the middle and move forward, otherwise we get nothing, and that means the residents of Accrington, Hyndburn and Lancashire are left behind. After eight years
of squabbling it’s been enlightening that we are moving forward.”
LCC leader Coun Phillippa Williamson said:
“This is a bold and exciting step towards a New Deal for Lancashire that will benefit every part of the county.”