Published Thursday 12 February 2026 at 12:05
Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) is marking its first anniversary, celebrating a year of progress in bringing more powers, funding and opportunities to communities across the county — including right here in Blackburn with Darwen.
Officially launched on 5 February 2025, with its inaugural meeting held at County Hall in Preston on 11 March 2025, the LCCA was created to unlock greater local decision-making and champion Lancashire on the regional and national stage.
In its first year, the authority has made significant strides. The ambitious Lancashire Growth Plan has been adopted, mapping out £20bn of additional public and private investment opportunities across the county.
An initial £20m of devolution funding has already supported major projects including the Innovation Hub at Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, Blackpool’s flagship digital infrastructure project Silicon Sands and new Department for Work and Pensions offices — as well as Blackburn’s Cyber Campus and Innovation Quarter, strengthening the borough’s growing digital and cyber sector.
A further £20m of government funding has been used to deliver business support, boost employment and skills provision, and help drive economic growth across Lancashire.
The LCCA has also adopted the Get Lancashire Working Plan, aimed at supporting residents facing barriers such as health conditions or disadvantage into employment, and has consulted on a new Local Transport Plan designed to transform travel choices, integrate new technologies and unlock economic potential across the county.
With a population of 1.53 million residents and a Gross Value Added (GVA) of £40bn, Lancashire already makes a substantial contribution to the UK economy — and the Combined County Authority is focused on ensuring the county has the powers and investment it needs to thrive.
Looking ahead to 2026, the LCCA has set out ambitious plans, including:
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Submitting a bid for £20m of Local Innovation Partnership funding to support activity around defence, security and critical national infrastructure
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Becoming the Local Transport Authority for Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council from 1 April, with a funding settlement valued at over £640m over the next four years
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Taking on responsibility for the £40m Adult Skills Fund, supporting more than 36,000 Lancashire residents
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Showcasing Lancashire’s investment opportunities at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREIIF) in May
Councillor Stephen Atkinson, Chair of the LCCA and Leader of Lancashire County Council, said:
“Over the past year, the Lancashire Combined County Authority has shown exactly what can be achieved when we bring our county together with a shared ambition.
“We have already delivered real progress, unlocking millions of pounds in funding to support people and businesses across the county and also identified billions of pounds of investment opportunities.
“Lancashire’s residents and businesses deserve the best opportunities, and we are showing that by putting the power in the hands of local leaders we can deliver investment and compete on the regional and national stage.”
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Chair of the LCCA Transport Advisory Board, said:
“Devolving powers from Westminster to local areas such as Lancashire is the way forward and, although we are a long way behind some of our neighbours like Greater Manchester and Merseyside, it’s great news that the journey of catching up has begun. The residents of Lancashire deserve the best that we can achieve on their behalf.”
Councillor Lynn Williams, Chair of the LCCA Economy Advisory Board and Leader of Blackpool Council, said:
“Lancashire is stronger when we all pull together with a common cause to make life better for the people who live here.
“The first year of the Combined County Authority has shown that as a collective we can deliver better outcomes for the people we serve, from having a more joined up approach to transport, skills and investment, to making sure our combined voice is heard loudly across the country that Lancashire means business.
“It has also shown that the government is starting to take Lancashire seriously, with devolution packages that have helped create jobs and opportunities for local people. Our next step is to make sure that our voice continues to be heard, and we can access more public and private investment to make our collective home towns better.”
As it enters its second year, the Lancashire Combined County Authority will continue working with Blackburn with Darwen Council and partners across the county to secure greater investment, stronger local powers and long-term opportunities for residents and businesses.