What do you think about a Combined Authority for Lancashire?

A countywide consultation is asking whether people support the proposal for a Lancashire Combined Authority.

Councils across the county, including Lancaster City Council, have given the go-ahead to gauge public opinion and everyone is being encouraged to have their say.

Councillors have labelled the move a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring Lancashire together and make sure it is a key part of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’.

Combined authorities give 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 reorganisation 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 e.g. bin collections, highways, education.

The services a Combined Authority would include are transport, economic development, housing and regeneration.

Every local council in Lancashire, except Wyre Council, has agreed to support the consultation, which starts on Monday 11 January and will run until Friday 19 February.

More information on the proposals and a link to the consultation website is available at www.lancaster.gov.uk/combined-authority.

Last updated: 26 February 2016