The Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) met on Tuesday 14 April 2026 to discuss a range of significant strategic initiatives. Key decisions included the adoption of the Lancashire Local Transport Plan Core Strategy and its accompanying Implementation Plan, alongside the approval of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme update and the Members' Allowance Scheme for 2026/27.

Governance Review Update

Matthew Sidgreaves, Interim Chief Operating Officer for the LCCA, provided an update on the governance review. He confirmed that a letter had been sent to the Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities, acknowledging the completion of the governance review and expressing a collective willingness to explore mayoral devolution for Lancashire. A meeting with the minister, originally scheduled for March, had been rescheduled to 12 May. Further updates will be provided following this meeting. The committee approved the recommendations.

Lancashire Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) - Inception

Darren Tweed, Interim SDS Lead, briefed the Authority on the new duty to prepare a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) for Lancashire, stemming from the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. The SDS will form part of the statutory development plan and will address strategic planning issues across the county, including housing needs, infrastructure delivery, economic growth, and climate resilience. The proposed SDS geography aligns with the LCCA boundary, simplifying cross-boundary collaboration. Preparatory work is underway, focusing on resourcing, early engagement, evidence base auditing, and digital support. The government has provided initial revenue funding of £414,284 from the Spatial Development Strategies Fund, with an ambition for all SDSs to be adopted by 2029. The Authority noted the update.

Local Transport Plan - Core Strategy Adoption

Matt Townsend presented the final Lancashire Local Transport Plan (LTP) Core Strategy for adoption. This statutory document sets out the LCCA's transport priorities for 2025-2045, aiming to support a stronger economy, fairer opportunities, and a sustainable future. The strategy has been informed by extensive public and stakeholder consultation, with significant changes made in response to feedback, including the transfer of scheme details to the Implementation Plan for greater clarity on delivery. The Authority adopted the Lancashire Local Transport Plan (LTP) Core Strategy.

Local Transport Plan - Implementation Plan

Matt Townsend also presented the draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) Implementation Plan for consultation. This plan details the specific schemes and strategies to be progressed between 2026 and 2030, translating the Core Strategy's long-term ambitions into short-term priorities. The plan is structured around four workstreams: Connecting Lancashire, Transforming Travel Choices, Safe and Vibrant Communities, and Future-Ready Networks. Schemes have been prioritised based on strategic fit, value for money, and deliverability. The Authority approved the draft LTP Implementation Plan and authorised public consultation.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund - Programme Update

Matthew Sidgreaves provided an update on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in Lancashire. The report detailed programme progress up to 31 December 2025, with £11.8 million spent out of a total allocation of £22.4 million. The expenditure deadline for the fund has been extended to 30 September 2026. The update highlighted ongoing activity to assess and mitigate the impact of the fund's end, with particular concern regarding the lack of a successor programme for areas like Lancashire, which are not mayoral combined authorities. Leaders intend to raise this issue with the government. The Authority noted the update.

Members' Allowance Scheme 2026/27

The Monitoring Officer presented the proposed Members' Allowance Scheme for 2026/27. The scheme has been updated to include an annual allowance of £2,000 for the independent chairs of both the Scrutiny and Audit committees, benchmarked against other combined authorities. The scheme has been reviewed by the Independent Remuneration Panel, who raised no objections. The Authority approved the scheme and authorised the Monitoring Officer to make any necessary further amendments.

Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 & Other Employment Matters

The report sought approval for the LCCA's Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 and the continued appointment of the three Statutory Officers (Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer, and Section 73 Officer) through secondment agreements with the constituent councils. The recruitment for the Director of Transport post is underway, with interviews scheduled. The Authority agreed to the continued appointment of the statutory officers and approved the Pay Policy Statement.

Report of the Lancashire Combined County Authority Committees

The Authority received updates from the Audit and Governance Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Audit and Governance Committee noted reports on key updates, the financial assurance framework, internal audit progress, counter financial crime policies, the corporate risk register, and the audit plan for 2026/27. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee received updates on the Chief Operating Officer's activities, the Local Transport Plan, Get Lancashire Working, the budget, and its work programme. The Authority noted the updates.

Business Board Update

Mo Isap, Chair of the Lancashire Business Board, provided a verbal update on the Board's recent activities, highlighting ongoing progress and the dedication of officers. Efforts are being made to secure additional capacity funding from the government. The Authority noted the update.

Advisory Boards Update

The Chairs of the Transport, Economy, and Skills Advisory Boards provided updates on their respective areas of work. The Transport Advisory Board noted ongoing engagement on the Local Transport Plan Implementation Plan, with an emphasis on demonstrating tangible delivery. The Economy Advisory Board was preparing to discuss the Lancashire Investment Fund and wider investment opportunities. The Skills Advisory Board highlighted concerns regarding youth unemployment and the findings of the Milburn Review, emphasising the need for a coordinated response. The Authority noted the updates.

The meeting concluded with the confirmation of the next meeting date.