The Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025
The Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 establish a new combined county authority covering Lancashire, Blackpool, and Blackburn with Darwen.
The regulations grant the authority significant powers over transport, housing, regeneration, and economic development.
The authority will be governed by appointed council members with specific voting requirements for key decisions.
It receives powers to coordinate transport planning, deliver housing and regeneration projects, and conduct strategic economic assessments across the region.
The regulations also establish funding mechanisms and transitional arrangements for the new authority's operations.
Arguments For
Creates a unified governance structure for Lancashire, enabling more coordinated and efficient delivery of key services across the region
Consolidates transport planning and delivery powers, potentially leading to better integrated public transport systems
Provides new powers for housing and regeneration, allowing for strategic development across council boundaries
Establishes clear democratic accountability through appointed council members and voting requirements
Enables more strategic economic planning and development through combined assessment powers
Creates potential for operational efficiencies and cost savings through shared services and coordinated planning
Arguments Against
Adds another layer of governance complexity to existing local government structures
Requires significant coordination between multiple councils which could slow decision-making processes
Places additional financial obligations on constituent councils to fund the new authority
May reduce local autonomy as some powers transfer to the combined authority level
Could create challenges in balancing priorities between urban and rural areas within the combined authority
Implementation requires careful management during transition period to maintain service continuity
PART 1
General
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025.
- These Regulations come into force on the day after the day on which they are made.
The regulations take effect starting February 5th, 2025, creating the legal framework for the Lancashire Combined County Authority.
The name and commencement date establish the formal legal status of the regulations.
PART 2
Establishment of a combined county authority for Lancashire
Establishment
- There is established a combined county authority for the Area.
- The combined county authority is to be a body corporate and is to be known as the Lancashire Combined County Authority.
- The functions of the Combined County Authority are those functions conferred or imposed upon it by or under these Regulations or any other enactment (whenever passed or made), or as may be delegated to it by or under these Regulations or any other enactment (whenever passed or made).
Creates the Lancashire Combined County Authority as an official legal entity with corporate status.
The authority receives specific powers through these regulations and other legislation, allowing it to act as a governing body for the defined area.
The authority gains the ability to take actions and make decisions within its granted powers.
PART 3
Housing, regeneration and planning
Conferral of functions corresponding to functions that the HCA has in relation to the Area
- The functions of or relating to the Homes and Communities Agency which are specified in the following provisions of the 2008 Act, as applied by regulation 8, are to be functions of or relating to the Combined County Authority that are exercisable in relation to the Area- (a) section 5 (powers to provide housing or other land); (b) section 6 (powers for regeneration, development or effective use of land); (c) section 7 (powers in relation to infrastructure); (d) section 8 (powers to deal with land etc); (e) section 9 (acquisition of land); (f) section 10 (restrictions on disposal of land); (g) section 19 (financial assistance); (h) paragraphs 19 and 20 of Schedule 3 (powers in relation to burial grounds and consecrated land etc.); (i) paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10 and 20 of Schedule 4.
Grants the Combined Authority significant powers over housing and regeneration previously held by the Homes and Communities Agency.
These powers include providing housing, developing land, building infrastructure, acquiring and disposing of property, and providing financial support for development projects.
The authority can now lead major housing and regeneration initiatives across Lancashire.
PART 4
Transport
Local transport functions under the Transport Act 1985
- The functions of the constituent councils specified in Parts 4 (local passenger transport services) and 5 (financial provisions) of the Transport Act 1985 are exercisable by the Combined County Authority in relation to the Area.
- Subject to paragraph (3), the functions specified in- (a) sections 93 to 105; (b) section 109, of the Transport Act 1985 are exercisable by the Combined County Authority instead of by the constituent councils.
Transfers significant transport powers from individual councils to the Combined Authority.
The authority gains control over local passenger transport services and related financial matters.
This enables coordinated planning and delivery of public transport across the entire region, rather than separate council-by-council management.