The prospect of Lancashire missing out on increased funding and powers has prompted renewed appeals to government to move the county's first elected mayoral contest forward to May 2027.
Local figures warn time is running out
The Lancashire Combined County Authority, established in 2025, currently operates as a partnership between Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council. It has some devolved responsibilities but not the wider suite of powers and funding that a mayoral model would command.
County councillors and opposition figures say the government's recent announcement — described by ministers as the "biggest transfer of power, funding and responsibility from Westminster in a generation" — increases the urgency. Under the proposals, from next spring newly elected mayors will begin to retain a greater share of locally generated revenues, starting with business rates.
"The only game in town is to have elected mayors and to have more money, more powers, so that we can build our infrastructure, put our transport schemes together, build council houses and attract investment, we can't afford to sit back any longer,"
The comment above was made by County Councillor Azhar Ali, leader of the opposition at Lancashire County Council, who has written to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asking for the county's election to be brought forward. Councillor Ali also told colleagues he intended to press the leaders of the combined authority to lobby ministers to schedule elections in May 2027.
What the change would mean locally
Supporters argue a directly elected mayor would provide:
- Greater control over locally generated revenues, starting with business rates;
- Stronger single-person accountability for strategic infrastructure and transport planning;
- Potential for increased housing delivery and attracting inward investment.
Opponents or cautious voices note that the combined authority already has some devolved powers, but that those arrangements deliver less funding and fewer responsibilities than a full mayoral model. The county is not scheduled to hold its first mayoral election until 2028, and, under current timetables, would soon be the only area in the north of England without an elected mayor.
| Milestone | Year |
|---|---|
| Combined County Authority launched | 2025 |
| Government begins greater local revenue retention | From spring (next year) |
| Scheduled Lancashire mayoral election | 2028 |
| Proposed earlier election date sought by councillors | May 2027 |
Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Phil Riley, who sits on the combined authority, has also expressed support for an elected mayor but has warned publicly that preparation time is limited.
The debate now centres on whether ministers will accede to requests from local politicians to accelerate the timetable so Lancashire can participate in the initial wave of empowered city-region mayors and secure an earlier share of the additional retained revenue. Councillors say the timing will determine how quickly the county can plan and fund large-scale projects in transport, housing and economic development.
For county residents and local authorities, the issue is consequential: the decision could affect strategic planning, council finances and the pace at which major schemes are delivered across Lancashire.
