Lancashire proposes plans for £20m from devolution deal
Silicon Sands in Blackpool and a £6m innovation hub at Samlesbury Enterprise Zone are two of the five Lancashire projects earmarked for grants to support place-based economic regeneration and innovation-led growth as plans to combine the region under one authority are set in motion.
The £20m had previously been agreed as part of Lancashire’s Combined County Authority devolution deal, but now business cases for the funding have been revealed and submitted to government for approval.
Projects poised to receive capital include the innovation hub at Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, which would get £6m to become a “space that allows Lancashire businesses, residents, and key sectors to engage with National Cyber Force and the businesses within their supply chain”, according to Cllr Phillippa Williamson, Leader of Lancashire County Council.
The Department of Work and Pensions offices in Blackpool town centre would receive £4m, and £2m would be allocated for Cosy Homes in Lancashire, an energy-efficient home upgrade scheme.
Silicon Sands, Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone’s low-carbon data centre by Blackpool Airport, would receive £2m.
The Innovation Quarter in Blackburn town centre would receive £6m in grant funding, as well as the creation of a “digital creative and business hub” as a “direct result of the devolution deal funding”, according to Cllr Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council.
Riley added: “The initially agreed projects will start us on the journey of a new way of working with government for the benefit of the whole of Lancashire once the CCA is formally established.”
Cllr Williamson said: “This funding is just the first pot of money which will come to Lancashire thanks to the new CCA.
“These schemes are a great illustration of the type of projects we want to support, which we know will make a lasting difference in the county.
“This will open up new jobs, technologies, and opportunities across the Lancashire economy strengthening our capacity to embrace innovation and drive growth.”
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Lancashire County Council signed its draft devolution deal under the Conservatives in November 2023, which first put forward the £20m funding proposal.
The Labour government then confirmed the deal in September.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, hailed the “fantastic news”, as a “historic moment”.
She added: “The projects being funded in Blackpool are of strategic importance to us. The new town centre offices for the DWP will bring over 3,000 workers into the centre of Blackpool.
“Silicon Sands is a forward-looking project that will bring new, high-quality tech jobs to Blackpool. Starting with a small data centre at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, it will bring new industry and investment to Blackpool while also tackling the climate emergency at the same time.”
Last week, a Lancashire cabinet meeting approved a motion to make the authority accountable for the funding and any further funding before the CCA.
Subject to final approval from parliament, the CCA could be fully functional as a devolved body by early next year.
Councils have said the devolution deal would not require any changes to established county, borough, or district councils across the area, which will continue to deliver local services.
The Lancashire CCA has previously stated that it does not intend to commit to the prominent mayoral model of other combined authorities.
Nice projects , but 20m peanuts compared with other CAs …. Reason the two tier nature of Lancashire local government. 1 large and cumbersome county , 2 unitary councils and 12 tiny districts. Also no mayor….the government has asked for further plans on governance of the CA . Also government starting to talk about local government reorganisation . Lancashire needs 4 larger unitary councils like the rest of the north.only then will,Lancashire punch its wieght . Will the councillors put the interests of thier citizens above thier own short term views
By George
Agree with George that the organisation of local government here is a mess. Lancashire combined authority should have a mayor and it should either sit above purely unitary councils, or purely district councils (with combined authority effectively being an enlargening/replacement of the county). Taking powers away from existing councils doesnt seem politically feasible, so the unitary route seems best.
By Anonymous
@November 18, 2024 at 12:33 pm
By George
East Midlands has a mayor and level 3 deal that also sits atop a largely district-and-shire system.
I generally agree with moves to unitarisation but needs to be done right – and in a ‘what’s in it for local leaders’ way.
It looks like that is the approach in the English Devolution White Paper – working with councils to simplify structures.
But I’d also zone in on the hyperlocal level too – some new town councils would need to be set up in unparished places. These to be properly empowered, ideally on the model that Cornwall, Wiltshire and Somerset are going down.
By Rye