Lancashire 'stuck on hard shoulder' while other regions speed past in fast lane in devolution race
No sign that Lancashire will be rushing to embrace further devolution any time soon
Hello and welcome to The Lancashire Lead.
Devolution is always something that Lancashire has been reluctant to embrace, as our regular readers will be all too aware of.
The full powers and funding that go with any devolution deal have always been dependent on having a mayor - so Lancashire does not have the top level of devolution deal available.
That does mean fewer powers and less funding, ultimately, though there are some who believe it protects the power of more local decision making.
But the temperature on that debate got turned up significantly last week when new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who became essentially the only well-liked high profile politician left on the back of his mayorality in Greater Manchester, announced even greater powers through devolution.
But only if you have a mayor - which Lancashire does not, and is still not confirmed to eventually get.
On current forecast, Lancashire will soon be the only place in a north of England without a mayor. And now that’s worrying people to an even greater degree than before.
Lancashire briefing
🍔 McDonald’s plans to open its main Preston city centre branch around the clock, it has emerged.
The fast food chain has asked Preston City Council to confirm that there are no existing planning conditions in place that would prevent the outlet on Friargate from operating around-the-clock.
At the moment, the eatery is open between 5am and 11pm seven days a week.
The city centre’s other McDonald’s branch – which is located in the Fishergate Shopping Centre – trades from 7.45am until 6pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 5pm on Sundays.
The Friargate outlet was granted planning permission more than 40 years ago, back in March 1985.
💅🏻 Plans have gone in to rescue a historic pub building in Darwen that has lain empty and boarded up for years, becoming an eyesore on a busy street in the town.
The Engineers Arms on Duckworth was first turned into a public house around the start of the 20th century and was named after the union of highly skilled tradesmen who worked on the machines and mills, who would often meet in the establishment.
But after a century of serving pints to the local community, in 2020 the pub’s doors closed and have remained shut ever since, with the exception of a serious loft fire in 2021 that saw four fire crews respond.
However, the building may soon have a new purpose that could breathe new life into its spot on the corner of Dove Lane, with a plan being submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council to convert into shops and flats.
If approved, the ground floor of the Engineers Arms will be converted into three shopfronts, with applicant Suleman Tahir stating that the main business unit will be a nail salon.
🗳️ A Reform councillor is calling for people in Skelmersdale and Ormskirk to have their own dedicated town councils, as the whole of Lancashire faces a major shake-up.
Aaron Body, elected to West Lancashire Council in May, says people in Skelmersdale are ‘under-represented’ and want change.
In an emotional speech to borough councillors, he said he has campaigned for a Skelmersdale council for years. And now he has won support in calling on the borough to explore options for new town and parish councils including for Ormskirk.
However, some councillors say honesty will be needed with residents about the likelihood of extra local taxes needed for new councils.
It comes as West Lancashire faces a merger with Chorley and South Ribble in 2028, in a Lancashire-wide restructure of councils.
Lancashire ‘stuck on hard shoulder’ while other regions speed past in fast lane in devolution race
By Luke Beardsworth
Lancashire’s grapple with the very concept of a mayor shows no sign of abating despite promises of greater financial power by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
As part of an introductory flurry of new policies, the detail of which will become apparent later in the year, Burnham promised areas with a mayor would be allowed to retain a portion of income tax to spend locally.
But it is not entirely clear whether such powers will be exclusively available to areas with a mayor - something of particular importance to Lancashire. Regional mayors have been hailed for their impact in Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region but Lancashire continues to be without a concrete plan to elect one.
There is a pencilled-in plan for a mayoral contest to be held in 2028 but it is far from confirmed. Now, Cllr Stephen Atkinson, who leads Reform UK at Lancashire County Council, says he has assurances that a mayor is not mandatory.
With that in mind, he has repeated his calls for greater clarity over exactly what the benefits will be, given a mayor would likely mean a small percentage increase in council tax.
He also hinted that Lancashire County Council could then launch a consultation asking for views on a mayor - although it is unlikely the outcome of any such consultation would be binding.
In contrast, the Progressive Lancashire leader of the opposition has called for egos to be put to one side for the betterment of people and investment in Lancashire.
Cllr Atkinson told The Lancashire Lead: “The new government have made it clear that it is up to local areas if they want a mayor.
“Reform at Lancashire County Council are committed to listening to our residents and will widely consult with them when we have the details on the following:
“In the Manchester mayoral election, the turnout was only 25% - is there a mandate for a mayor? Greater Manchester Residents pay an extra £62 per year (band D property) to fund the Mayoralty – do Lancashire residents want to pay a mayoral precept?
“Is there additional funding for Lancashire and if so how much? A Labour MP said there was no additional funding in this spending round.
“With regards to keeping a percentage of income tax, Lancashire residents need to understand if this is additional funding to the grant paid to Lancashire or will it replace some or all the grant? And will this be an additional income tax?
“Lancashire Combined County Authority have tried to meet with the government to discuss this and have had a number of meetings cancelled, we are still waiting for a date for the next one.
“We need this information so that we can then consult with our residents to make an informed decision.”
Although the new government did not state exactly how much areas would receive from income tax, it could be a significant fundraising mechanism in Lancashire which contributes roughly £4 billion to the Exchequer through income tax each year.
“We’re stuck on the hard shoulder while everyone else is in the fast lane bringing in investment and creating jobs.” - Cllr Azhar Ali
Cllr Azhar Ali, who is the leader of the Progressive Lancashire opposition at Lancashire County Council, has already written to Andy Burnham to ask for the mayoral election to be brought forward.
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