Debate Sparked On Lancashire's Councils Becoming A "Combined Authority"
A debate has erupted on whether councils in Lancashire should team up to become a "Combined Authority."
A debate has erupted on whether councils in Lancashire should team up to become a "Combined Authority."
Lancashire County Council's asking us if we want all 14 councils to work together on services to form part of the "Northern Powerhouse."
It's got the support of 13 authorities - Wyre Council are only ones against the idea.
The Council's Leader Peter Gibson told Rock FM that they've not been told about the benefits of a "Combined Authority," that it would cost too much money and would not devolve any more powers to Wyre Council.
Chorley Council's Leader Alistair Bradley, who is Chair of the Council Leaders’ Group on Combined Authority matters, says “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the 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.”
Lancashire County Council are asking people to take part in a consultation - which is running for the next month. You can find out more information about the Combined Authority here