Council leaders have approved plans for a county deal that will see local powers take control of regional funding and decision-making.

Our New Deal for a Greater Lancashire identifies areas where council leaders believe more local powers could make a difference, including themes around the economy, transport, jobs, skills and the environment.

At a special Lancashire County Council meeting on 24 January, councillors scrutinised the plans before backing them.

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Lancashire County Council Leader Councillor Phillippa Williamson said: “Since June, all of Lancashire’s 15 council leaders have worked together on these plans, which we believe will benefit every part of our county.

“This is a collaboration on a scale that Lancashire has never seen before. It sends out the strong message that we are united and unwilling to be left behind.

“We have a clear and ambitious vision to secure additional powers, decision-making, and significant additional funding that has the potential to transform our county and make a huge difference to the lives of all of our residents.”

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The council considered a joint report, prepared for all 15 to scrutinise in the coming weeks. If approved by all councils, the proposals will be taken to the government.

For more information on the deal, visit – https://lancashire.gov.uk/newdeal/

To read the joint report, visit –https://council.lancashire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=138&MId=12268

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