Talks to form a county-wide combined authority could be on the table if leaders from Lancashire’s 15 councils can get their fellow councillors to agree.
The subject of creating the combined authority was discussed at the latest meeting of Lancashire council leaders last month.
The proposed combined authority would involve each of the councils retaining their local identities and services, while working together on specific issues including transport, regeneration and economy. These include decisions on key issues being made more locally, more quickly.
Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson said discussions were very much in the early stages.
He said: “This is something that is being looked at across the country in other authorities.
“Central Government are looking at devolving powers. As the recent case in Manchester has shown, it’s about trying to get devolved funding.
“At the moment it is still very early on, we’re really just looking at the discussions.”
Coun Parkinson said it was important that local authorities work together on big issues like regeneration and transport.
At the meeting it was agreed that each of the leaders would be seeking the support of their local councillors for further work to take place.
If the councils in Lancashire agree to more detailed work being carried out, discussions will include what specific responsibilities a combined authority might have and how each council would be represented. Conservative group leader Coun Peter Britcliffe said the idea of having a general steering group for the area was good.
But he added: “It’s important that the local council is kept local, the problems in each authority are different.
