Nearly 200 business leaders heard about the ‘devolution journey’ this week from Lancashire County Council.

Organised by the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce the breakfast event heard from the county council’s leader Phillippa Williamson.

The meeting at the Samlesbury Hotel on the A59 was a chance for businesses to understand the impact the devolution deal could have across Preston and Lancashire.

Read more: Lancashire devolution: Your guide to what it all means and how to have your say

The deal, which was signed on Lancashire Day last year, is currently being consulted on until Friday 26 January.

Leader of the county council Phillippa Williamson said: “To have so many businesses
represented through the Chamber shows how important this deal is to the county.

“Without businesses input the proposed deal misses out on a key element which we hope will drive
economic growth in the coming decades. This deal will change the way Lancashire does business and
we are confident it will open more doors to investment opportunities that we have not been able to
access before.”

However, just as the breakfast event was drawing to a close a statement from each of the leaders of South Ribble Borough Council and Chorley Council, sent after both councils individually agreed their response to the current deal, sent a signal that all is not well within district councils about the proposed deal.

Read more: Lancashire devolution deal set out with new council set to be formed

Leader of South Ribble Borough Council councillor Paul Foster said: “The changing landscape of local authority governance in Lancashire is desperately important, and it is our duty as a council to make sure that any proposals for change are in the absolute best interest of South Ribble and its communities.

“At an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council this week, we agreed a response to the ongoing Lancashire Combined County Authority proposal consultation where we intend to make it clear that we cannot support the proposals in their current form.

“Having considered all the proposals carefully and in much detail, we have some significant budgetary concerns, and we are concerned and disappointed about the proposed decision-making process, a process which explicitly excludes representatives from all the districts covered by the Combined County Authority.

“I want to be clear that we are not against devolution in principle, and we recognise that devolution has the potential to secure significant benefits for Lancashire, encouraging strong economic growth and increased productivity, alongside better health and wellbeing and strengthened public services.

“In our view, these benefits cannot be achieved through this proposal. It is baffling that the County Council has failed to recognise the vital role of district councils in understanding and representing local communities.

“It is disappointing that we are at this stage when in 2022 we stood alongside the councils of Lancashire, including the County Council, and agreed an outline proposal for Greater Lancashire with fundamental principles for working together which included representation from all councils on any decision-making body.

“The new proposals, which in our view will completely strip away decision making power from elected representatives who are best placed to understand the changing needs of their communities, are a far cry from our agreement in 2022, and with no prior consultation, opportunity for review or input from South Ribble Borough Council on the new plans, we absolutely in good faith cannot support.”

Speaking after the business event, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for economic development and growth Aidy Riggott said: “This is a once in a lifetime chance to get the best deal for Lancashire and for us to have one voice in the decision-making process for the county.

“Having so many businesses here at one event shows they are invested in the devolution journey we
are on. We need their input into how they want it to frame the future of the Lancashire economic
landscape. We cannot continue this journey without their voice.”

Read more: Weekly household food collections returning to Preston and Lancashire

Chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce, Babs Murphy, said: “The fact there was standing room only for this event shows not only the interest in the deal but also how the eventual deal will affect their
businesses.

“Lancashire businesses all have one goal, to grow and make the county a prosperous place and that
can only be achieved if the business community makes their voice heard. This was the perfect
platform for that to happen.”

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

Read more: See the latest South Ribble news and headlines