Member Article

Combined Authority proposal sent to government

The much-discussed proposal to create a Combined Authority for the Liverpool City Region has been submitted to Government.

The six local authorities involved in the venture, Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, Halton, Sefton and St Helens, as well as Merseytravel, agree that the submission is a further step forward in capitalising on the area’s strengths and assets.

They say the intention is to focus on particular issues and to attract substantially more funding into the region, boosting the economy and the jobs market.

Businesses, partners and the public were consulted with over the summer, and over 80% of respondents confirmed that they were in favour.

The councils argue that a Combined Authority would mean closer working between the organisations, resulting in supporting growth and securing more jobs for the City Region.

They say that a Combined Authority would not result in the creation of a ‘super council’, replace or merge councils, but it would be more efficient than current arrangements.

The focus of the Combined Authority would be on strategic decisions around economic development, regeneration, housing and transport. It would use this joint influence to draw-down powers and resources from Central Government for local use.

Building on the recent success from the Liverpool City Region Deal agreed with Government in 2012, the expected benefits of a Combined Authority include:

· Bringing together the strategic decision making for economic development, regeneration, transport and other major initiatives across the City Region

· Clear, transparent and accountable leadership

· Faster, more streamlined and more integrated decision making

· Using resources more efficiently and effectively, to make a bigger impact on the City Region’s residents, businesses and economy

· Delivering economies of scale, efficiencies and greater effectiveness.

Whilst there is evidence of strong partnership working in the Liverpool City Region, a Combined Authority would provide a formal body, providing greater opportunities. These include maximising investment, the creation of jobs and improving access to Government funding for the benefit of the area.

The Government will now review the proposal and undertake a statutory consultation later in the Autumn.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .