A combined authority

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.

More about the Lancashire Combined County Authority.