Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Devolution gives local councils more freedom and flexibility, allowing them to improve public services more effectively. This leads to better-targeted services, more growth, and stronger partnerships between public, private, and community leaders.

We started our devolution journey in early 2024 when Full Council agreed to create a Combined County Authority (CCA) in Lancashire. This agreement will bring together the efforts and resources of Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council, and Blackpool Council to enhance regional collaboration and governance.

A combined authority

A combined authority is a legal body created using national legislation that enables two or more councils to work together and make decisions across their boundaries. You can learn more in the Combined Authorities: A Plain English Guide. Under the new proposals, combined authorities will be replaced by strategic authorities.

The English Devolution White Paper

The English Devolution White Paper, released in December 2024, outlines the Government’s plans to reform local government. It includes various proposals for devolution, local government reorganisation, and changes to local audits.

The Devolution Priority Programme

The Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) is for areas that want to move quickly towards devolution. The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has said that participants need local agreement and a sensible geographical area. The DPP aims to establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority, with the first mayoral elections planned for May 2026.

Lancashire doesn’t need to consider this because we already have the foundations for the Combined County Authority, which has started.

Local government reorganisation (LGR)

Local government reorganisation involves changing the structure and responsibilities of local councils. According to the English Devolution White Paper, the Government plans to replace the current two-tier system of district and county councils. Most new councils will have populations of 500,000 or more, but there may be exceptions to ensure the new structures are suitable for each area. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Questions and comments

You can ask questions and share thoughts here LGRquestions@lancashire.gov.uk

Your questions and comments will be used to develop key themes which we will then share on the intranet. We are unable to respond to all queries individually.

Your questions answered

What is the difference between devolution and local government reorganisation?

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. Local government reorganisation is about how the powers and funding that sit with local government are organised between councils. 

What does this mean for Lancashire?

We know that many of you will have questions about local government reorganisation, and we understand that this period of uncertainty can cause concerns.

We have received the letter from central government outlining more detail on the process involved in relation to potential LGR.