The Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on 8th December 2025 to discuss progress on the LCCA's work programmes, with a particular focus on the transition of transport functions and the development of the Local Transport Plan. Key discussions included the strategic ambitions for transport in Lancashire, the transfer of powers and functions to the LCCA, and the timeline for these changes. The committee also reviewed the LCCA's work programme for the upcoming year.

Chief Operating Officer Update

Matthew Sidgreaves, Chief Operating Officer of the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA), provided an update on the authority's progress, highlighting key activities and work programmes for the current and next financial years. He outlined the LCCA's strategic priorities in economy, transport, and skills, noting that the authority is still in its early stages of evolution. Mr. Sidgreaves mentioned that the LCCA's next meeting would be held the following week, with the agenda papers due to be published that day. He also touched upon the ongoing work to develop performance metrics for the Lancashire Growth Plan, which would be shared with the committee in the new year. Preparations for the devolution of the £40 million Adult Skills Budget from August next year were also discussed, alongside the flagship Connect to Work programme. The potential transfer of the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub into the LCCA was noted. Mr. Sidgreaves also provided an overview of the transition plans for staff, contracts, and activities, emphasizing that detailed discussions on future staffing arrangements would be subject to HR processes and staff consultation. He highlighted the LCCA's efforts to learn from other combined authorities, such as Greater Manchester, to identify best practices. Updates from the November advisory board meetings were also shared, covering economy, transport, and skills. Broader updates for the authority as a whole included the ongoing review of corporate services, the development of the budget for 2026-27 and 2027-28, and the finalisation of HR policies. A significant update was the completion of the review of governance models, which concluded that a mayoral-led model would likely offer more devolved powers and funding. The LCCA leaders have written to the minister to seek further clarity on this, and a response has been received confirming that a mayoral strategic authority and devolution agreement would enable Lancashire to access the full suite of powers and funding available through the devolution framework.

Local Transport Plan Progress

Matthew Tomlinson, LCCA Lead for Transport, presented an update on the transition of local transport authority functions to the LCCA. He explained that the LCCA's ambition for transport is to act as an enabler of economic growth, with a focus on integration, reliability, and safety. The draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) has been out for consultation, receiving substantial feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders. Mr. Tomlinson detailed the powers and functions being transferred to the LCCA under the Transport Act, which will give the authority responsibility for bus services, public transport, and investment decisions in large-scale infrastructure. He outlined the transition plan, which involves a dedicated project team working across Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council, and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to prepare for the full transfer of powers by April 2026. Key activities include developing the LTP implementation plan, establishing enhanced partnership governance arrangements, and developing a rail strategy. The LCCA is proposing a commissioning and assurance model for its transport function, where the LCCA will make strategic decisions and the constituent councils will handle day-to-day delivery. Councillor Carl Mitchell MBE raised concerns about Blackpool's voice within the LCCA, to which Mr. Tomlinson assured that Blackpool officers are involved in the project team, and Blackpool has representation on the Transport Advisory Board and the LCCA Board. Councillor Brian Taylor highlighted the importance of integrating transport systems, ensuring information is available about connections between different modes of transport. Councillor Azhar Ali OBE inquired about the timeline for developing strategies for specific rail projects, such as the Skem train station and the Colne Skipton line, and the impact of potential local government reorganisation (LGR). Mr. Tomlinson explained that the LTP implementation plan, which will detail priorities, will be presented to the CCA board in the new year, and that the LCCA will remain the local transport authority regardless of LGR outcomes, though its governance may need to adapt. The possibility of implementing late rental schemes was also discussed, with Mr. Tomlinson explaining that this would require a specific application to the government for powers not currently included in the devolution deal. Councillor Matthew Salter asked about the financial implications of policy adjustments and how funding for concessionary travel would be managed, noting that core funding for concessionary travel comes to the constituent councils. Mr. Tomlinson confirmed that the LCCA would seek authority to explore a consistent concessionary travel scheme across Lancashire. The development of the future organisational model was also discussed, with the commissioning and assurance model being favoured due to its lower risk profile. Councillor Saj Ali questioned the data sources used for decision-making, particularly in light of the outdated census data. Mr. Tomlinson stated that a range of data sources, including census data, organisational data, and mobile phone data, are used to inform the LTP. Councillor Paula Burdess sought reassurance about the transport transition plan being on target and the key risks involved. Mr. Sidgreaves added that while operational risks exist, the commissioning and assurance model is designed to mitigate them, and that IT and data sharing agreements are being put in place.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025-26

The committee considered the draft work programme for 2025-26, which takes a thematic approach, with skills identified as the focus for the next meeting. Councillor Aidy Riggott suggested that for future rounds, relevant members from the combined authority should be present to answer member questions, rather than solely relying on officers. This was met with a degree of consensus, and it was agreed that this would be considered for future meetings. The work programme was approved.