The Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the LCCA's progress, focusing on the transition of transport functions and an update from the Chief Operating Officer. The committee discussed the Local Transport Plan and the COO's update, and agreed to include a summary of advisory board activities in future updates. They also requested that future updates on the governance review be provided via a report rather than verbally.

Governance Review

The committee received an update on the review of governance models, which was completed and reported to the LCCA meeting in October. The review considered retaining the status quo as a non-mayoral combined county authority versus converting to a mayoral-led combined county authority. The review concluded that adopting a mayoral-led model would offer more devolved powers and funding.

Despite this conclusion, the three leaders of the constituent councils agreed to seek further clarity from the minister on the additional funding and powers a mayoral combined county authority would bring to Lancashire. The minister responded, confirming that a mayoral strategic authority and devolution agreement would enable Lancashire to access the full suite of powers and associated funding available through the devolution framework. The letter confirmed the government's commitment to the 30-year investment funds, but noted that the specific value of investment would be subject to further decisions and discussion.

The committee requested that future updates on the governance review be provided via a report rather than verbally, to improve accessibility. Councillor Aidy Riggott said that doing so would make it:

more accessible for everybody else to understand what's going on rather than go and try and find that relevant bit of the webcast and watch it.

Local Transport Plan (LTP)

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, provided an update on the transport transition progress as the function is mobilised within the LCCA. The report updated the committee on the phased transfer of transport powers from Lancashire's three upper tier local authorities to the LCCA. Since September 2025, a dedicated project team has overseen the transition, focusing on statutory compliance, best practice, and alignment with strategic ambitions.

Key points discussed:

• Strategic Ambition: The LCCA aims to create a modern, inclusive transport system that supports economic growth, social well-being, and environmental responsibility.
• Powers and Functions: Under the statutory instrument that accompanies the devolution deal, transport powers and functions will transfer from Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, and Blackpool Council to the LCCA.
• Transition Plan: A dedicated project team has been mobilised to oversee the transition, with a focus on embedding best practices, streamlining decision-making, and aligning resources with the strategic ambitions of the LCCA.
• Timeline: The report included a timeline of key milestones, including the approval of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) draft, the start of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), and legal discussions around the Enhanced Partnership (EP).

Councillor Carl Mitchell MBE raised concerns about Blackpool's voice within the LCCA, given that Blackpool has a wholly owned transport operator, Blackpool Transport Services. Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, reassured the committee that Blackpool officers are involved in the conversation, and that the LCCA is cognisant of the need to ensure that Blackpool Transport Services continues to run as it does today.

Councillor Brian Taylor emphasised the importance of integrating transport systems, particularly the need for real-time information on bus and rail connectivity.

Councillor County Azhar Ali OBE requested more detail on the LCCA's early thoughts on transport strategy, particularly regarding the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) and the Colne-Skipton line. He also asked about the impact of potential local government reorganisation (LGR) on the workings of the combined authority. Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, responded that the LCCA will still be the local transport authority following LGR, but that the governance and constitution of the LCCA would need to change to reflect any changes that come about via LGR.

Councillor Aidy Riggott asked about late rental schemes¹, and whether they would be included in the document. Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, responded that late rental schemes are something that the LCCA is working on, but that a decision has not yet been made on whether to implement them.

Councillor County Matthew Salter raised concerns about the potential challenges of the LCCA making decisions about concessionary travel schemes² where the funding and implementation are managed by the local authority.

Councillor County Ged Mirfin asked about the data sources that the LCCA intends to rely on in order to make critical decisions, given that the census data is now out of date. Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, responded that the LCCA has looked at a variety of data sources, including census data, organisational data, and mobile phone data.

Councillor Matthew Tomlinson asked for reassurances that the transport transition plan is on target and that the people of Lancashire are not going to lose out because of the transition. Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, responded that the LCCA is 100% confident that it can deliver the plan, and that there are plans in place to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible.

The committee agreed that the implementation plan would be brought to pre-scrutiny before it goes to the LCCA board for decision.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Update

Matthew Sidgreaves, Chief Operating Officer, provided an update on the progress of the LCCA since the last meeting. The update covered the three strategic priorities of economy, transport, and skills, as well as broader updates concerning the authority as a whole.

Key discussion points:

• Economy: Work is ongoing to develop a dashboard of metrics and performance indicators to monitor the delivery of the growth plan. A review of business support is due to be undertaken, and work is underway to develop a pan-Lancashire inward investment service.
• Transport: By April, a commissioning and assurance model will be embedded for the local transport authority functions within the LCCA.
• Skills: The Adult Skills Fund will be devolved to the LCCA from August next year, and the existing Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub will transfer into the CCA at an appropriate time.
• Corporate Services: A scoping exercise has been completed to gauge the levels of staffing resource required for corporate services, and an early recommendation has been discussed with the three statutory officers of the CCA.
• Budget: Good progress is being made on drafting the medium-term financial strategy and discussing the various options with the three statutory officers.
• Operational Policies: Progress has been made on ensuring that HR policies are in place, and a procurement framework for the CCA will be presented to the board next week.

Councillor Aidy Riggott suggested that the inclusion of the advisory board slide of what they've been doing and where they're going is helpful, and asked for that to be included in future. He also requested a covering report that complements the presentation, making clear what the ask is of the committee and pulling out some of the key points.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26

The committee discussed the overview and scrutiny committee work programme for 2025/26. Matthew Sidgreaves, Chief Operating Officer, suggested that skills would be the focus of the next meeting, given the Get Lancashire Working Plan, the Adult Skills Fund, and the Connect to Work programme.

Councillor Aidy Riggott suggested that relevant members from the combined authority should be present at future meetings, so that members can ask member questions too. The committee agreed that the skills one will proceed as planned, and then they will take stock and reflect on terms of membership at the top of the table to be accountable for the recommendations or proposals that are presented to this committee.