109-753: The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority ( LCRCA ), officially the Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority , is the combined authority of the Liverpool City Region in England. Its area includes the City of Liverpool local authority area, the Metropolitan Boroughs of Knowsley , St Helens , Sefton , and Wirral , and the Borough of Halton . It
218-469: A Greater Manchester Combined Authority as an indirectly elected top-tier strategic authority for Greater Manchester . Following the unsuccessful English mayoral referendums in 2012, combined authorities have been used as an alternative means to grant additional powers and funding as part of 'city deals'. In 2014, two indirectly elected combined authorities were established covering the ceremonial county areas of South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire , and
327-513: A general power of competence . The powers and functions to be shared are agreed by the metropolitan district , non-metropolitan district , non-metropolitan county or unitary authority councils. In 2014, the government consulted on changes to the legislation governing combined authorities. Proposed changes included extending the legislation to Greater London, Wales, and Scotland. The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 received royal assent on 28 January 2016. The act allowed for
436-505: A 'Great South West' grouping of Cornwall , Devon , and Dorset (possibly with Somerset ), and another in Lancashire. The white paper was delayed and was eventually published on 2 February 2022. The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 enhanced devolution and created a new form of authority called a combined county authority. The act allowed for more broader functions to be devolved to new and existing CAs and CCAs, and created
545-537: A CA, and a county council can become part of a CA even if only some of the non-metropolitan districts that make up the county are within the combined area. A local authority may only belong to one CA. CCAs can only be formed by upper-tier authorities: county councils and unitary authorities. The members of a CCA are appointed by its constituent councils. In addition, a CCA may appoint additional members and allow another body to nominate members; these members are non-voting unless decided otherwise. There are three stages to
654-688: A Heart of Wessex combined authority. Previous plans in Hampshire have included a Solent Combined Authority in South Hampshire (potentially alongside the Isle of Wight) and a 'Heart of Hampshire' Deal including the remainder of the county. However, these plans were rejected in the South due to objections from Isle of Wight Council, and in the North of the county due to disagreements and the likelihood of
763-451: A Planning Award 2020 for 'stakeholder engagement in planning (plan-making)'. Across September and November 2020, the combined authority started a land commission - reported as the first of its kind in England to re-orientate the city region's economy around community wealth building . This was in partnership with Centre for Local Economic Strategies. Combined authorities and combined county authorities A combined authority ( CA )
872-584: A centre for shipbuilding. Innovations during this period included the first inter-city railway , the first publicly-funded civic park , advances in dock technology , and a pioneering elevated electrical railway . The county was established in 1974, before which the entirety of the Wirral was in Cheshire and the remainder of the county was in Lancashire. Merseyside is notable for its sport, music, and cultural institutions. The Merseybeat genre developed in what
981-480: A deal, with leaders of both unitary authorities indicating a preference for a rotating chair instead of a mayor. A proposal for Lancashire failed in 2017. Council leaders agreed to the concept in June 2020, with suggestions of reducing the number of districts into three unitary authorities, or implementing a single unitary authority instead of a combined authority. The three proposed successor authorities would cover
1090-644: A deal. Rutland was previously a district of Leicestershire between 1974 and 1997 before becoming a unitary authority, but is open to joining a Leicestershire deal. A Norfolk and Suffolk mayoral combined authority was proposed in November 2024 alongside a reorganisation of the existing two-tier local government structures in to a smaller number of unitary authorities . A proposal for a single Yorkshire Combined Authority, dubbed One Yorkshire, has been proposed for some time, but failed to gain government support, being rejected in 2019. The proposal had support from 18 of
1199-590: A further two which each covered a metropolitan county and adjacent non-metropolitan districts: the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for Merseyside and the Borough of Halton unitary authority; and the North East Combined Authority for Tyne and Wear and the unitary authorities of County Durham and Northumberland . In 2016, a combined authority was formed for the metropolitan county of
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#17327840404881308-423: A mayor. Leicestershire County Council proposed a combined authority in 2015, with discussions after including an East Midlands deal. A Leicestershire deal has also been proposed by government but without Leicester; as the whitepaper stipulates a minimum population of 500,000, Leicester or Rutland would not be able to form individual devolution deals; both Leicester and Rutland have been proposed as joining part of
1417-593: A million people travel these Irish Sea ferry services. The Mersey Ferry has operated since the 1200s, currently between Wirral and Liverpool City Centre at Seacombe, Woodside and Liverpool Pier Head. In 2009–2010 it had 684,000 passengers using the service. The Port of Liverpool handles most commercial shipping, but the Birkenhead Docks complex in Great Float on the Wirral peninsula still handles some freight. The Port of Liverpool
1526-644: A multi-year single settlement, replacing a large number of individual grant funding streams for which they must submit individual competitive bids. In his 2024 budget , Hunt said that the North East Mayoral Combined Authority would have the same trailblazer deal. In return, the CAs would face greater oversight, including quarterly scrutiny sessions by new committees of local MPs. Since the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
1635-858: A standalone advisory board to the Liverpool City Region Local Visitor Economy Partnership currently being developed by the Combined Authority, its constituent local authorities and other partner organisations, and also as a sub-board of the Business and Enterprise Board. The board was created in 2023 with its first meeting taking place in may of 2024. The membership of the LCR Freeport Board is made up of LCRCA Members, 2 LCR Members of Parliament as well as other Public, private and academic partners who will make decisions and provide
1744-486: A substantial increase in creation in recent years. There are currently eleven such authorities, created between 2011 and 2024. A CA or CCA may not cross over to another combined area. Following the abolition of metropolitan county councils and the Greater London Council in 1986, England had no local government bodies with strategic authority over the major urban areas of the country. In 1999, following
1853-532: A substantial trimming from the White Paper, excluding the northern and southern fringes of the area, excluding Chester, Ellesmere Port, and, for the first time, including Southport, whose council had requested to be included. Further alterations took place in Parliament, with Skelmersdale being removed from the area, and a proposed district including St Helens and Huyton being subdivided into what are now
1962-635: A successful referendum , the Labour government created a strategic authority for London (the Greater London Authority ), but no bodies were established to replace the metropolitan county councils outside London. The Blair government instead pursued the idea of elected regional assemblies , although following an unsuccessful referendum in 2004 in the most positive region – the North East – this idea had few proponents. In October 2010
2071-528: A wholesale review of governance arrangements in the area. A report on its findings was published on 30 September 2013. The report identified the city region as one of the fastest growing economies in the UK which had outgrown existing informal relationships between the local authorities. The report recommended the establishment of a more formal combined authority to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of local transport, promote economic development and regeneration. It
2180-402: A wider area. In areas where local government is two-tier, both must participate in the combined authority. A combined county authority ( CCA ) is a similar type of local government institution introduced in England outside Greater London by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 , but may only be formed by upper-tier authorities: county councils and unitary authorities . The members of
2289-444: Is Merseyside's primary intercity railway station, being used by 10.46 million passengers in 2021–22. Train services are provided by Avanti West Coast , London Northwestern Railway , TransPennine Express , West Midlands Trains , Transport for Wales and Northern , and serve destinations across the UK. Merseyrail is the county's urban rail system and is operated by Merseytravel , the combined passenger transport executive for
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#17327840404882398-693: Is a container port that handles over 33 million tonnes of freight cargo per year, making it the fourth busiest port in the United Kingdom as of 2022 . It serves more than 100 global destinations including Africa, Australia, China, India, the Middle East and South America . Imports include grain and animal feed , timber , steel, coal, cocoa, crude oil, edible oils and liquid chemicals; there are exports of scrap metal for recycling. A second container terminal, Liverpool2 at Seaforth , can handle Post-Panamax vessels and doubled
2507-467: Is a type of local government institution introduced in England outside Greater London by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 . CAs are created voluntarily and allow a group of local authorities to pool appropriate responsibility and receive certain devolved functions from central government in order to deliver transport and economic policy more effectively over
2616-636: Is chaired by a Metro Mayor , Steve Rotheram , who was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021 and in 2024 . The planning and commissioning of care within Merseyside is the responsibility of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Service (ICS), which covers NHS and other care services within the Cheshire and Merseyside area. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside serves a combined population of 2.7 million people, with some 17 NHS trusts, 349 GP practices, and 590 pharmacies under its control. Merseyside
2725-507: Is designed to improve transport links between Widnes and Runcorn and other key locations in the vicinity. National Cycle Route 56 and National Cycle Route 62 pass through the region, the former along the Wirral and the latter from Southport to Runcorn. Major bus companies are Stagecoach Merseyside and Arriva North West . Liverpool One bus station serves as a terminus for national coach travel. Liverpool Lime Street mainline station
2834-699: Is now the county, which has also produced many artists and bands , including the Beatles . The county contains several football clubs, with Everton and Liverpool playing in the Premier League . The Royal Liverpool and Royal Birkdale golf clubs have hosted The Open Championship 22 times between them, and the Grand National is the most valuable jump race in Europe. National Museums Liverpool comprises nine museums and art galleries. Merseyside
2943-421: Is part of a long-term ambition to create a combined authority Hertfordshire districts have given support for a deal, but was not included in the 2022 white paper. The original proposal was for a Norfolk and Suffolk Combined Authority, before it was replaced with an East Anglia proposal including Cambridgeshire and Peterborough . The East Anglia plan failed, reverting to the original two plans. Whilst
3052-575: Is planning substantial expansion, and is forecast to handle more than 12 million passengers by 2030, as well as targeting permanent direct long haul flights and significantly larger terminal facilities. Merseyside is host to several football league football clubs including Everton , Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers and several non-league football clubs including Marine A.F.C. and Southport F.C. Golf courses include Royal Liverpool Golf Club , Royal Birkdale Golf Club , Hillside Golf Club and Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club . Cricket clubs include
3161-604: Is served by six motorways : the M58 to the north, M56 to the south, M6 & M62 to the east and M53 to the west. The M57 acts as an outer ring road and bypass for the city of Liverpool itself. The River Mersey is crossed by Queensway Tunnel and Kingsway Tunnel , which link Liverpool to Birkenhead and Wallasey respectively, and by the Silver Jubilee Bridge and Mersey Gateway Bridge , which link Runcorn and Widnes. The Mersey Gateway Bridge opened in 2017 and
3270-539: Is the city of Liverpool . The county is highly urbanised, with an area of 249 square miles (645 km ) and a population of 1.42 million. After Liverpool (552,267), the largest settlements are Birkenhead (143,968), St Helens (102,629), and Southport (94,421). For local government purposes the county comprises five metropolitan boroughs : Knowsley , St Helens , Sefton , Wirral , and Liverpool. The borough councils (and Halton in Cheshire) collaborate through
3379-711: Is to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Combined Authority Members, including dealing with complaints about behaviour Made up of Members of the Combined Authority, the Appointments and Disciplinary Committee deals with staff terms and conditions, including the process and procedures for the appointment and dismissal of the Head of Paid Service, the Executive Directors and the Monitoring Officer and determining pay and grading. as of 2024
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority - Misplaced Pages Continue
3488-556: The 2024 United Kingdom general election , the new Labour government decided against pursuing single authority devolution deals, instead preferring the formation of multi-authority combined authorities. Thus plans for Elected Leaders in Norfolk and Suffolk were dropped. Whilst not included in current plans, discussions are ongoing between local authorities and the government on an eventual deal. Whilst not included in current plans, discussions are occurring between local authorities and
3597-505: The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough plan succeeded, the Norfolk and Suffolk plan failed, with King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council voting to reject the deal, and Norfolk County Council cancelling a subsequent planned meeting on the topic. The District and County Council previously disagreed over the election of a mayor. The government and the county council signed a devolution agreement on 8 December 2022, which included
3706-516: The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities confirmed that the Liverpool city region had been selected for increased powers. At the time of the announcement, the government indicated that it was to be known as 'Level 4' devolution, the greatest possible level of devolution available to all eligible devolved institutions in England. As one of the 'most mature' devolved institutions in
3815-605: The Liverpool City Region combined authority , chaired by an elected mayor . What is now Merseyside was a largely rural area until the Industrial Revolution , when Liverpool and Birkenhead's positions on the Mersey Estuary enabled them to expand. Liverpool became a major port, heavily involved in the Atlantic slave trade and in supplying cotton to the mills of Lancashire, and Birkenhead developed into
3924-683: The Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive (which operates today under the Merseytravel brand) was set up, covering Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral and Knowsley, but excluding Southport and St Helens. The Redcliffe-Maud Report was rejected by the incoming Conservative government, but the concept of a two-tier metropolitan area based on the Mersey area was retained. A White Paper was published in 1971. The Local Government Bill presented to Parliament involved
4033-663: The West Midlands ; as a consequence, all former metropolitan counties are now covered by combined authorities. In 2016, the first combined authority to not cover a metropolitan county was formed. This was Tees Valley , which covers the area of the former county of Cleveland (now four unitary authorities in the ceremonial counties of Durham and North Yorkshire ), together with the unitary authority of Darlington . Two further combined authorities which do not cover ceremonial counties or former metropolitan counties were formed in 2017: West of England , comprising Bristol and two of
4142-461: The metropolitan boroughs of Liverpool , Knowsley , Sefton , St Helens and Wirral . Following the abolition of the county council, some local services are run by joint-boards of the five metropolitan boroughs; these include the: The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority , which includes the five boroughs of Merseyside and the Borough of Halton in Cheshire, oversees transport, economic development and regeneration. The combined authority
4251-483: The 20 Yorkshire councils, with Sheffield and Rotherham both preferring the South Yorkshire alternative . The Mayor of South Yorkshire , Dan Jarvis , also supported a One Yorkshire proposal. A combined authority was agreed for York and North Yorkshire in 2022 (see below), and in the same year negotiations began regarding an authority for East Yorkshire and Hull (also below). Berkshire County Council
4360-532: The 2004 report 'Moving Forward: The Northern Way'. It was commissioned by the UK government and published by The Northern Way . Collaborative working between the local authorities in the city region followed in 2007, with the publication of the Liverpool City Region Development Plan. In 2008, relationships between the authorities deepened with the decision that they would enter a multi-area agreement . A new City Region Cabinet
4469-539: The Board is a co-opted member of the Combined Authority. The Board meets quarterly. The Liverpool City Region Local Visitor Economy Partnership Board (“LVEP Board”) helps to shape, deliver and advise on the Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy strategy, with the overarching aims of promoting growth and improvements in both the visitor economy sector and wider City Region economy. The LVEP Board functions both as
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority - Misplaced Pages Continue
4578-449: The CA or CCA is formally created, dissolved, or altered by a statutory instrument . A number of CAs and CCAs were created in 2024, including the North East Combined Authority , East Midlands Combined County Authority , and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority . Nine CA and CCA mayors were elected during the 2024 United Kingdom local elections , including the newly created Mayor of
4687-463: The CCA are appointed by its constituent councils. In addition, the CCA may appoint additional members and allow another body to nominate members; these members are non-voting unless decided otherwise. CAs and CCAs are predominantly created in areas where they are considered likely to improve transport, economic development, and regeneration, but their creation is encouraged by Government and there has been
4796-604: The Coalition Government introduced measures to replace regional development agencies , which were described as inefficient and costly. They were superseded by local enterprise partnerships , voluntary groups whose membership was drawn from the private sector with local authority input. Earlier in 2010, the Government accepted a proposal from the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities to establish
4905-737: The Combined Authority Established in 2023, the Business & Enterprise Board replaced the Local Enterprise Partnership, and was created to ensure the views of business could inform the decisions of the Combined Authority. Members were recruited from key sectors in the City Region economy, with additional seats reserved for representatives from key sectoral boards. In common with the LEP, the Chair of
5014-487: The Combined Authority regarding any further requirements that are needed to be satisfied in order for them to be implemented over the coming years. The 'impending' powers of the Combined Authority are as follows: In 2020, the Combined Authority ran a consultation program called "LCR Listens: Our Places" on a proposed strategy for planning across the city region, which gained the views of people who don't typically participate in spatial development consultations. Their work won
5123-698: The Constitution and as such are not subject to political proportionality or Access to Information requirements. The UK central government has devolved a range of powers and responsibilities to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region . Since the inception of these authorities, several devolution agreements offered by central government have been ratified by
5232-461: The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities” with hopes for a ministerial meeting. The Original proposal for Cumbria failed in 2017. A subsequent attempt for a single unitary authority failed in 2019, leading to a new proposal for a combined authority in late 2019, alongside replacing the two-tier system with two unitary authorities. As the initial plan for the unitarization
5341-667: The England-only Mayoral Council , and of the UK-wide Council of the Nations and Regions , both of which were established by the incoming Labour government in 2024. CAs and CCAs consist of two or more contiguous English local government areas. The creation of a CA or CCA is voluntary and all local authorities within the area must give their consent before it can be created. The local authority of any district of England outside Greater London can join
5450-564: The Exchequer , Jeremy Hunt , announced in his 2023 budget speech that "trailblazer deals" had been struck with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority which included reforms to their funding models. As part of these deals, the combined authorities will be treated in a similar manner to government departments at the next spending review and each will be allocated
5559-632: The Liverpool City Region. The network has 66 stations on two lines; the Northern Line covers the centre of the county, and the Wirral Line covers the eponymous peninsula. The two lines meet in Liverpool City Centre , and Liverpool Central is the county's most-used station, with 10.75 million passengers in 2021–22. The network extends to Ormskirk in Lancashire, and Ellesmere Port and Chester in Cheshire. Merseytravel brands
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#17327840404885668-545: The Mayor chairs this committee. Made up of Members of Constituent Councils, The Transport Committee’s role is to undertake transport and travel policy functions on behalf of the Combined Authority, together with certain delegated functions in relation to transport and travel, the development of funding proposals and oversight of Merseytravel as the Passenger Transport Executive and Executive Body for
5777-744: The North East , Mayor of the East Midlands , and Mayor of York and North Yorkshire . Several new combined authorities and combined county authorities have been proposed. In 2022 a government white paper was published which included nine areas invited to take part in devolution deals. In September 2024, the UK Government agreed to the formation of mayoral combined authorities for Hull and East Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire, and non-mayoral combined authorities for Lancashire, and Devon and Torbay. In early 2022, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay were selected as one of nine pilot areas in England by
5886-538: The PCC are cabinet members and are assigned portfolios by the Mayor, the cabinet also has deputy cabinet members who are councillors from the constituent councils. The composition of the Mayors cabinet currently is: Combined Authoirty The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is chaired by the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region (sometimes referred to as the 'Metro Mayor').The Mayor is directly elected every four years by
5995-610: The River Mersey). The two parts are linked by the two Mersey Tunnels , the Wirral line of Merseyrail , and the Mersey Ferry . Merseyside contains green belt interspersed throughout the county, surrounding the Liverpool urban area, as well as across the Mersey in the Wirral area, with further pockets extending towards and surrounding Southport, as part of the western edge of the North West Green Belt. It
6104-586: The Secretary of State for approval in early May 2024. The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority is scheduled to be created in the Autumn of 2024 following parliamentary approval. After the government rejected the One Yorkshire proposal (see above) and a cross-Humber deal with North Lincolnshire failed, a Hull and East Riding alternative has been proposed. Negotiations have begun with government on
6213-401: The South Essex plan favoured retaining the current status. The Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government stated in a letter that he did not favour the plan for a South Essex Combined Authority, but would be willing to discuss it. Seven councils in Sussex including Brighton and Hove have an economic board which coordinated development, skills and collaboration between councils. It
6322-492: The Stakeholder Sub-Committee includes the seven Members of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Made up from councillors of the city regions constituent councils, The Committee’s role is to achieve greater public accountability over decisions made and services delivered to the whole Liverpool City Region. Made up of members of the Combined Authority, members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee & appointed persons to provide external independence. The Committee’s role
6431-411: The UK government in the Levelling Up White Paper for "County Deal" negotiations. However, Plymouth City Council decided to withdraw from the deal in November 2023. Devon and Torbay proceeded without Plymouth with a joint proposal for a Level 2 Devolution Deal, a Combined Authority without a directly elected mayor. The deal was approved by both Devon County Council and Torbay Council and submitted to
6540-448: The UK government. The two councils have already formed a Joint Executive Committee and Economic Growth Body. A proposed devolution deal was narrowly voted against in 2016, but has re-emerged in 2020. A separate deal was also proposed for a "South Essex" Combined Authority, covering Southend , Thurrock , Basildon , Castlepoint , Brentwood , and Rochford . The whole Essex plan also suggested forming four new unitary authorities, whilst
6649-457: The United Kingdom left the European Union ) encouraged to borrow from European institutions for social and environmental schemes which met EU objectives. Loans were made with conditions attached which furthered EU policies. By 2015, Greater Manchester Combined Authority had agreed loans from the European Investment Bank in excess of £1 billion, with similar liabilities to the Treasury and private business. Combined authority mayors are members of
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#17327840404886758-526: The authorities and relevant stakeholders were consulted. The consultation ran between 5 August and 6 September 2013. A revised report was published in September 2013 which confirmed that the Liverpool city region wished to pursue the creation of a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The scheme to establish a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority was then submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by 30 September 2013. A statutory consultation followed in November 2013, however,
6867-413: The authority appeared more secure following a statement by Anderson on 7 April 2014, where he made clear that the matter that caused the dispute was "closed" and that Liverpool would remain within the combined authority. The authority held its first elections for a directly elected mayor in May 2017. The election was won by Steve Rotheram . The combined authority possess a number of committees who have
6976-399: The city region. The Mayor is a high profile public figurehead and is often seen as a spokesperson for the city region, regularly quoted in the national press when important developments, announcements or public debates take place. The incumbent Mayor is Steve Rotheram , who was elected as the first ever Mayor of the Liverpool City Region on 5 May 2017. The long-term future of the authority
7085-425: The combined authority is as follows: These members form the Combined Authority, a committee, which is the principle governing organ of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, its meetings are chaired by the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region or ,in the mayors absence, the appointed deputy mayor. see Committees The combined authority has a cabinet led by the Mayor. Leaders of the Constituent Councils, and
7194-540: The commission never completed its final proposals as it was abolished in 1966. Instead, a Royal Commission was set up to review English local government entirely, and its report (known as the Redcliffe-Maud Report ) proposed a much wider Merseyside metropolitan area covering southwest Lancashire and northwest Cheshire, extending as far south as Chester and as far north as the River Ribble . This would have included four districts: Southport / Crosby , Liverpool / Bootle , St Helens / Widnes and Wirral / Chester . In 1970
7303-424: The constituent authorities being reorganised. A Dorset combined authority was proposed by the county's former nine constituent councils, and is being considered by the two unitary councils ( Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole ) which replaced them in April 2019. In 2021 a new plan including Hampshire, Isle of Wight, and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole was being pursued, though lacking appetite for
7412-513: The constituent local authorities of the Combined Authority. The first devolution agreement was announced on 17 November 2015 which allocated powers over local business growth and support, culture, employment and skills, energy and environment, fiscal responsibilities, housing and planning, innovation and transport. The agreement was then further strengthened in March 2016 which broadened the existing powers and added additional new powers over apprenticeships, business rates , health and social care and
7521-451: The country, the government argued that the city region had the governance capability and capacity to carry out new levers of power covering areas such as culture and tourism, employment and skills, energy and environment, finance, health and social care, housing and planning, innovation, trade and investment, transport as well as the ability to influence government on future legislation. The government also confirmed that this move did not mark
7630-405: The county council. The proposal failed in 2016 after constituent councils voted against it, with subsequent discussions of an East Midlands devolution deal. Currently the councils of Lincolnshire are working on a 10-point plan to submit to government for a Lincolnshire deal. Dorset Council , Somerset Council and Wiltshire Council submitted an expression of interest in September 2024 to form
7739-414: The county had a two-tier system of local government with the five boroughs sharing power with the Merseyside County Council . In 1986 the government of Margaret Thatcher abolished the county council along with all other metropolitan county councils, and so its boroughs are now effectively unitary authorities . Merseyside is divided into two parts by the Mersey estuary; the Wirral is on the west side of
7848-448: The creation of an elected mayor with the title Elected Leader. Subject to consultation, and council and parliamentary approval, it was hoped that the first Elected Leader would have been elected in 2024 to coincide with the police and crime commissioner elections. In September 2024, following the 2024 United Kingdom general election , the new Labour government decided against pursuing single authority devolution deals, instead preferring
7957-414: The creation or amendment of a CA. Firstly a review must be undertaken to establish the likelihood that a CA would improve: "...the exercise of statutory functions relating to transport in the area, the effectiveness and efficiency of transport in the area, the exercise of statutory functions relating to economic development and regeneration in the area, and economic conditions in the area." On completion of
8066-453: The electorate within the boundaries of Liverpool City Region . Once elected, the Mayor exercises the powers and functions devolved from the UK's national government, which are set out in the local area’s evolving devolution arrangements. Primarily, the Mayor's role is to work alongside his colleagues within the Combined Authority and to focus on significant issues that affect the economy, infrastructure, health, wellbeing and strategic planning of
8175-497: The end of the city region's devolution journey, that more functions would be transferred from Whitehall and the levels of power would continue to be reviewed in the future. The individual powers offered as part of this agreement have been listed as 'impending' in the table below. These powers are optional and the Combined Authority will decide in due course which particular ones to formally adopt from this framework. Officials from central government will continue to work with officials in
8284-499: The estuary, upon the Wirral Peninsula , and the rest of the county lies on the east side. The eastern part of Merseyside borders onto Lancashire to the north and Greater Manchester to the east, with both parts of the county bordering Cheshire to the south. The territory comprising the county of Merseyside previously formed part of the administrative counties of Lancashire (east of the River Mersey) and Cheshire (west of
8393-559: The exercise of those functions granted to the Combined Authority through the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the 2014 and the 2017 Orders made under it and any subsequent enactments. see Membership This is a Sub-Committee of the Combined Authority. the purpose of the Stakeholder Sub-Committee is to take decisions on behalf of the Combined Authority. The membership of
8502-448: The formation of multi-authority combined authorities. Thus plans for Elected Leaders in Norfolk and Suffolk were dropped. A leadership board has been formed by Staffordshire County Council and its constituent districts, with an invitation to unitary Stoke-on-Trent. There is some interest in devolution talks, but requiring Stoke-on-Trent's participation. The original proposal was for a Norfolk and Suffolk Combined Authority, before it
8611-663: The government on an eventual deal. Merseyside Merseyside ( / ˈ m ɜːr z i s aɪ d / MUR -zee-syde ) is a ceremonial and metropolitan county in North West England . It borders Lancashire to the north, Greater Manchester to the east, Cheshire to the south, the Welsh county of Flintshire across the Dee Estuary to the southwest, and the Irish Sea to the west. The largest settlement
8720-510: The government published scheme used the name 'Greater Merseyside Combined Authority'. The government consultation that followed showed strong support for a name that included 'Liverpool' and not ' Merseyside '. The name was changed to Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority in the draft order presented to the UK parliament . This was chosen by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) because it said
8829-560: The historic Aigburth Cricket Ground . Aintree Motor Racing Circuit hosted the British Grand Prix biennially between 1955 and 1961, and finally in 1962. Aintree Racecourse hosts the Grand National and there is also Haydock Park Racecourse . Totally Wicked Stadium hosts Rugby League and Hoylake hosts sailing (such as the Southport 24 Hour Race ) and is Britain's premier location for sand yachting. A ski slope facility
8938-426: The introduction of directly elected mayors to combined authorities in England and Wales with powers over housing, transport, planning, and policing. In 2020, the government planned to produce a white paper on 'Devolution and Local Recovery', which was expected to create new combined authorities with mayors – or "county mayors" – for non-metropolitan areas of the country. These have been tentatively suggested to be
9047-485: The justice system. The government has committed to further strengthening the Liverpool city region’s devolution arrangements in line with national plans surrounding the Northern Powerhouse . Therefore, the capability and capacity of the Combined Authority is designed to be dynamic and evolving. The current powers and responsibilities of the Combined Authority are listed below: On 1 March 2024,
9156-438: The local authorities could not agree a name for the combined authority and some responses to the consultation objected to the name 'Liverpool'. An explanatory memorandum attached to the orders creating the combined authorities stated that any name including 'City Region' was considered "misleading and inappropriate" by the government. DCLG stated that the combined authority could use any public name it wanted. On 21 February 2014, it
9265-456: The metropolitan boroughs of St Helens and Knowsley . Merseyside was created on 1 April 1974 from areas previously part of the administrative counties of Lancashire and Cheshire , along with the county boroughs of Birkenhead, Wallasey, Liverpool, Bootle, and St Helens. Following the creation of Merseyside, Merseytravel expanded to take in St Helens and Southport. Between 1974 and 1986
9374-427: The network in the east of the county as the ' City Line ', but the services on it are not operated by Merseyrail. The Borderlands line connects the west of the Wirral to Wales , and is operated by Transport for Wales Rail . Liverpool Cruise Terminal provides facilities for long-distance passenger cruises. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines MS Black Watch and Cruise & Maritime Voyages MS Magellan use
9483-464: The next wave of county deals, but without a mayor. Proposals by Cheshire East , Cheshire West and Chester , and Warrington underwent a public consultation in Summer 2017 but government permission was still being sought in spring 2020. All three councils are in favour of a non-mayoral deal, although local Conservative MPs were not supportive. Warrington's Chief Executive has “received a letter from
9592-408: The northern and coastal, central and southern, and eastern and Pennine areas. All potential constituent authorities have reviewed plans created by the county council, and are now "studying the detail of the white paper and its implications for driving forward our devolution aspirations”. A plan for a Lincolnshire devolution was proposed, which would have included all constituent boroughs as well as
9701-532: The port's capacity when it opened in 2016. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the county's international airport. It is in Speke , 6.5 miles (10.5 km) southeast of Liverpool city centre, with 5 million departures in 2020. Flights are primarily operated by easyJet and Ryanair , and over 70 destinations are served by the airport, including regular flights to the Near East and North Africa . The airport
9810-569: The power for CAs and CCAs to be allowed to change the title of mayor. CAs and CCAs are bodies corporate and are able to assume the role of an integrated transport authority and economic prosperity board . This gives the authority the power to exercise any function of its constituent councils that relates to economic development and regeneration, and any of the functions that are available to integrated transport authorities. For transport purposes, CAs and CCAs are able to borrow money and can levy their constituent authorities. CAs and CCAs were (until
9919-411: The regions transport, economic development and regeneration, culture and tourism, energy, justice and health. Functional executive bodies such as Merseytravel are responsible for delivery of these services and report to the combined authority. The leader of the authority is Steve Rotheram , the directly elected Liverpool City Region Mayor . The concept of a 'Liverpool city region' gained traction in
10028-528: The responsibility to deliver functions of the Authority that are not solely reserved to the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region . May be made up of The Mayor, Combined Authority Members, Members who are members of the Councils and Non-voting members Co-opted for their expertise and advice Meetings of the Combined Authority are of the body corporate, whose role it is to oversee and undertake responsibility for
10137-494: The review, the local authorities produce and publish a proposed scheme of the combined authority to be created, including the area that will be covered, the constitution, and the functions. This will include details of membership of the CA or CCA, remuneration, and how meetings will be chaired and recorded. Following a period of consultation and subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government ,
10246-483: The strategic governance arrangements across the area. Following this review, the six local authorities of the city region intended to strengthen their collaborative governance to enable the city region to optimise its economic growth potential. The authorities put forward the name 'Liverpool City Region Combined Authority' for their proposed combined authority. A draft report was published for the plan in August 2013 in which
10355-506: The strategic steer required for the effective delivery of the Freeport. The Cabinet Boards (formerly Portfolio Boards) were established at the meeting of the Combined Authority held on 24 September 2021. Their purpose is to support early engagement with Constituent Local Authorities on policy development and decision making by the mayor's cabinet, with the board not having a decision-making role themselves. These Boards are not included within
10464-665: The terminal to depart to Iceland , France , Spain and Norway . Peel Ports have also planned a second cruise terminal as part of the Liverpool Waters project. Prince's Landing Stage on Liverpool's Pier Head serves Isle of Man Steam Packet Company summer service to the Isle of Man (and Mersey Ferries). The Twelve Quays ferry port in Birkenhead serves winter Isle of Man ferry service and Stena Line services to Belfast , Northern Ireland . Almost three quarters of
10573-560: The three adjacent unitary authorities in Gloucestershire and Somerset , all of which had been within the former county of Avon ; and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough . In 2020, it was reported that other combined authorities for non-metropolitan parts of the country – such as Cumbria , Lancashire , North Yorkshire, and Somerset – were under consideration, but the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on governance meant decisions were delayed until late 2021. The Chancellor of
10682-606: The topic. Suffolk County Council's plans for a county-wide deal have been supported by the constituent district councils with backing from its local MPs, although opposing a mayoral deal. Suffolk County Council signed a devolution agreement with the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities in December 2022, which included an Elected Leader who will lead the County Council. However, in September 2024, following
10791-508: Was abolished in 1998 , leaving the districts as unitary authorities . In 2021 the constituent districts agreed to submit an expression of interest in a county deal. The six unitary councils formed a joint Berkshire Prosperity Board in February 2024 and submitted an expression of interest in forming a non-mayoral combined authority in September 2024. Although not included in the 2022 white paper, Buckinghamshire Council hopes to be part of
10900-413: Was based on the assumption of a county-level combined authority to manage adult and children's services, the deal has been prioritized. There are disagreements between Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness on whether the deal should include a mayor. On 30 September 2024, Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council jointly submitted an expression of interest in forming a combined authority to
11009-413: Was decided by the constituent councils that the authority would use the public name of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. A motion at the inaugural meeting on 1 April 2014 proposed that the authority should formally adopt this name and it was passed unanimously. The authority's statutory name remains the "Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority". The membership of
11118-630: Was designated as a "Special Review" area in the Local Government Act 1958 , and the Local Government Commission for England started a review of this area in 1962, based around the core county boroughs of Liverpool , Bootle , Birkenhead and Wallasey . Further areas, including Widnes and Runcorn , were added to the Special Review Area by Order in 1965. Draft proposals were published in 1965, but
11227-441: Was established on 1 April 2014 by statutory instrument under the provisions of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 . Composition of the combined authority is made up of the leaders of the six principal membership authorities, plus several non-voting members with various vested interests in the activities of the combined authority. The LCRCA is a strategic authority with powers and responsibilities over
11336-586: Was established, made up of the leaders of the 6 local authorities in Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St. Helens and Wirral and private sector representation through the Chair of The Mersey Partnership. The Cabinet continued to evolve and in 2012, central government declared the 'Liverpool City Region Deal' which came with the establishment of a local transport body. On 21 June 2013, the Liverpool City Region Cabinet agreed that there needed to be
11445-422: Was first drawn up from the 1950s. All the county's districts contain some portion of belt. Ipsos MORI polls in the boroughs of Sefton and Wirral in the 2000s showed that in general, residents of these boroughs identified slightly more strongly to Merseyside than to Lancashire or Cheshire respectively, but their affinity to Merseyside was more likely to be "fairly strong" than "very strong". Merseyside comprises
11554-404: Was left in doubt after the previous leader of Liverpool City Council Joe Anderson decided to seek legal advice on Liverpool City Council leaving, following his failure to be elected as its chair. Anderson was not present during the leadership vote. Other members said he allowed his 'personal ego' and his belief he had a "God given right to chair the authority" to put it in jeopardy. The future of
11663-475: Was passed, there was an influx of new CAs and CCAs either being created or planned to be created, and further powers to be devolved to existing authorities. The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 allowed for certain functions over transport to be delegated from central government. The Localism Act 2011 allowed additional transfers of powers from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and gave combined authorities
11772-435: Was proposed that the combined authority have seven members - one from each constituent local authority, and one more from the (now disbanded) Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership. Relationships between the local authorities were reinforced with the formal establishment of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on 1 April 2014. On 21 June 2013, the (now defunct) Liverpool City Region Cabinet agreed to review
11881-407: Was replaced with an East Anglia proposal including Cambridgeshire and Peterborough . The East Anglia plan failed, reverting to the original two plans. Whilst the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough plan succeeded, the Norfolk and Suffolk plan failed, with King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council voting to reject the deal, and Norfolk County Council cancelling a subsequent planned meeting on
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