Lancashire’s councils already work closely together but a combined authority is a formal, legal step that means councils can act as one authority in the best interests of Lancashire around the areas of economic regeneration, housing and transport.

A combined authority is:

• a formal, legal step to allow councils to work more closely together in a more structured way
• a move to improve economic development, skills and transport to benefit the whole county.

A combined authority is not:

• a merger or take-over of councils or a unitary council
• a giving-up of powers by individual councils.

The creation of a combined authority is something that is being replicated across the country with many requests to create a combined authority already approved by the Government.