The Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 9th March 2026. The committee discussed key updates from the Chief Operating Officer, the progress of the Get Lancashire Working initiative, and the proposed budget for 2026/27. The committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Chief Operating Officer Update

Matthew Sidgreaves, Interim Chief Operating Officer for the LCCA, provided an update on several key areas. He highlighted the LCCA's first anniversary and its plans for the year ahead. A significant point of discussion was the upcoming meeting between council leaders and the Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities to discuss future devolution arrangements in Lancashire. This meeting is particularly timely given the government's invitation for expressions of interest from councils without existing devolution agreements. Sidgreaves emphasised the importance of the LCCA positioning itself as an established foundation strategic authority. The emerging Devolution Bill was also mentioned, with its progress through the House of Lords noted. Finally, capacity funding for foundation strategic authorities for 2026/27 was confirmed at £250,000.

The update also covered ongoing consultations relevant to the LCCA:

• Overnight Visitor Levy: The LCCA's three constituent councils jointly responded to the consultation, advocating for the power to introduce a visitor levy to be extended to foundation strategic authorities. They also highlighted the importance of Lancashire's tourism economy and potential challenges for operators.
• Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): Councillor Azhar Ali OBE and Councillor Aidy Riggott expressed concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the alignment of new unitary authorities with the LCCA and the potential for duplication and friction. Councillor Riggott suggested a delay in LGR to allow for clearer mapping of responsibilities. Councillor Matthew Salter also supported a delay, emphasizing the need to build consensus and strengthen the evidence base. The LCCA's formal response to this consultation was agreed to be neutral, reflecting differing views across the constituent authorities.
• Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) Geography: The LCCA's footprint is recognised as the strategic planning authority for future SDSs. Preparatory work has begun, pending the enactment of secondary regulations.
• Local Transport Authorities and Taxi/Private Hire Licensing: The Department for Transport is consulting on the potential role of local transport authorities in licensing taxis and private hire vehicles. While there is a consensus on the benefits of a standardised pan-Lancashire approach, concerns were raised about operational delivery. Councillor Ged Mirfin and Councillor Azhar Ali OBE highlighted the complexity and potential pitfalls of this area, suggesting a need for detailed work and potentially delaying decisions until after LGR.

The committee discussed the process for responding to consultations. Councillor Aidy Riggott suggested reflecting on the committee's role in scrutinising such proposals in advance, and Matthew Sidgreaves agreed that this would be a timely addition to the work programme.

Get Lancashire Working

Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, Director of the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, and Dan Dixon, Programme Manager for Connect to Work, presented on the Get Lancashire Working initiative. This plan aims to boost employment rates and address rising economic inactivity, aligning with the government's ambition of achieving an 80% employment rate over the next decade. The plan was developed in partnership with the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Key aspects of the Get Lancashire Working plan include:

• Strategic Context: The Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub has been operating since 2015, focusing on labour market intelligence, skills, and employment priorities. It has now pivoted to the Combined County Authority structure.
• Skills Framework: The framework prioritises growing the future workforce, driving an inclusive workforce, upskilling the employed, and embedding social value.
• Devolution Opportunities: The plan anticipates the devolution of the Adult Skills Fund (approximately £43-£44 million annually) and employment funds, including the Connect to Work programme.
• Economic Inactivity: A deep dive into economic inactivity in Lancashire revealed that health conditions are the biggest contributor across all age groups. This led to Lancashire securing a Work Well vanguard to support people leaving the labour market due to health conditions.
• Get Lancashire Working Plan: Published in September 2025, the plan sets out Lancashire's response to rising economic inactivity and aims to contribute to the national 80% employment rate ambition. It identifies priority groups including those with health conditions, caring responsibilities, low skills, young people, and those in insecure work.
• Connect to Work Programme: This flagship programme, funded by the DWP until March 2030, aims to support over 11,000 residents through a supported employment model. It focuses on placing, training, and maintaining individuals in work, particularly those with disabilities, long-term health conditions, and the economically inactive. Lancashire is one of the first five areas to mobilise this programme.

Councillor Azhar Ali OBE and Councillor Dave Flanagan raised points regarding the engagement of councillors and the specific needs of older workers and those in the care sector. Councillor Flanagan also expressed concerns about the Adult Skills Fund, particularly regarding provider targeting and the potential for voluntary sector organisations to be overlooked. Dr Lawty-Jones indicated that the LCCA would be happy to provide bite-sized briefings to councillors and that the Adult Skills Fund would be a focus for a future committee meeting.

The committee discussed the presentation format. Councillor Aidy Riggott and Councillor Caroline Jackson suggested that presentations should be shared in advance to allow for more detailed and thoughtful discussions. The Chair indicated an intention to discuss this with the team.

Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2027/28

Susan Guinness, LCCA Strategic Finance, presented the proposed budget for 2026/27 and an indicative budget for 2027/28. The report indicated that both years are balanced, with the 2026/27 budget including a contribution from reserves of £145,000. The total expected spend for 2026/27 is approximately £53 million. The Chief Finance Officer provided assurance on the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of reserves.

Councillor Aidy Riggott raised questions about the management of reserves and the strategy to minimise their use. The committee welcomed Susan Guinness to her new role.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26

The committee reviewed its work programme for 2025/26 and discussed potential items for the 2026/27 programme. Discussions focused on refining the interface between scrutiny, advisory boards, and the LCCA, ensuring alignment with the Audit Committee, and the process for scrutinising proposals, particularly concerning licensing and taxi/private hire licensing. The Adult Skills Fund was also identified as an area for future review. The Chair indicated an intention to discuss the presentation of papers and the format of future meetings with the team to ensure more effective use of time and to facilitate meaningful scrutiny. Councillor Azhar Ali OBE suggested offering bite-sized briefings to partner councils' members as well.

The committee noted that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday, 7th July, at 3:00 pm.