Pendle News Room

For months, all 15 of the council leaders from the Lancashire area have been working in close collaboration to develop a set of ambitious and forward-thinking proposals.  

If adopted they would represent a New Deal for a Greater Lancashire across a range of areas including the economy, transport, jobs, skills and the environment. 

Each of the councils – Lancashire County Council, 12 district councils, including Pendle Borough Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council – are to consider setting up a new formal body to help drive cooperation to the next level to help secure a deal with government. 

At its Extraordinary Council meeting on Thursday 27 January, Pendle’s councillors will be asked to formally support the principle of a County Deal and agree a joint report. 

Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, explained that in July 2021, as part of its levelling up plans, the government announced it would introduce County Deals with the aim of transferring powers from Whitehall to local areas. 

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work together with councils across Lancashire to attract additional powers, decision-making and funding. 

“It’s important that we can have a greater say on how and where money should be spent locally so that it has the biggest impact. 

“Moving the decision-making from London to Lancashire is a step closer to making a real difference to the lives of our residents.”