Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

! Date

! Description

! Sources

| 'Liverpool city region' defined in the report 'Moving Forward: The Northern Way'.

| {{cite web|url=http://www.transportnorth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Northern-Way-2007.pdf |title=Moving Forward: TheNorthernWay |publisher=transportnorth.org.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| The Liverpool City Region Development Plan is published.

| {{cite web|url=https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/documents/s50013766/Appendix%202%20Potential%20Role%20for%20a%20LCR%20Combined%20Authority%2008082013%20Cabinet.pdf |title=Liverpool city region governance review. Outline of the potential role for a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority |publisher=wirral.gov.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| Six local authorities of Liverpool city region enter a multi-area agreement. The Liverpool City Region Cabinet was established.

| {{cite web|url=https://modgov.sefton.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s1161/CE%20-%20City%20Region%20Prospectus%20Cover%20Letter%202008.pdf |title=Liverpool City Region Prospectus – Progress report |publisher=sefton.gov.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| UK central government declared the 'Liverpool City Region Deal'.

| {{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7fa105e5274a2e8ab4d556/Liverpool-City-Region-Deal-final.pdf |title=Liverpool City Region Deal with Government, 5 July 2012 |publisher=gov.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| Liverpool City Region Cabinet conducted a strategic governance review.

| {{cite web|url=https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/documents/s50014209/Appendix%203-%20Report%20of%20Consultation.pdf |title=Liverpool City Region Governance Review: Summary Report of Consultation |publisher=wirral.gov.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| Liverpool City Region Cabinet published a draft report to recommend establishment of a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

| {{cite web|url=https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/documents/s50013764/Liverpool%20City%20Region%20Governance%20Review%2008082013%20Cabinet.pdf |title=Wirral Council: Cabinet: 8 August 2013 |publisher=wirral.gov.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| Consultation on proposed Combined Authority conducted between the relevant local authorities and stakeholders.

| {{cite web|url=https://modgov.sefton.gov.uk/ieIssueDetails.aspx?IId=32543&PlanId=0&Opt=3 |title=Proposal to review the option of a Combined Authority for the Liverpool City Region |date=30 July 2013 |publisher=sefton.gov.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| Liverpool City Region Cabinet published final governance review report which recommended establishment of a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The report was sent to UK central government.

| {{cite web|url=https://moderngov.halton.gov.uk/documents/s31096/Liverpool%20City%20Region%20Governance%20Review%20revised%20v4.pdf |title=Liverpool city region strategic governance review, September 2013 |publisher=halton.gov.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| Statutory consultation on the proposed Combined Authority commenced.

| {{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a75a338e5274a545822d0c7/Proposal_to_establish_a_combined_authority_for_Greater_Merseyside_-_Consultation_v1.pdf |title=Proposal to establish a combined authority for Greater Merseyside: Consultation |publisher=gov.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| The constituent councils of the Combined Authority decided to use the public name of 'Liverpool City Region Combined Authority'.

| {{cite web|url=https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/governance-and-structure/dclg-accused-of-silliness-over-combined-authority-names-21-02-2014 |title=DCLG accused of 'silliness' over combined authority names |date=21 February 2014 |publisher=www.lgcplus.com |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| Liverpool City Region Combined Authority formally established.

| {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-39645055 |title=Liverpool City Region: What does it mean for its people? |work=BBC News |date=24 April 2017 |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| First devolution agreement agreed by central government conferred powers on the Combined Authority.

| {{cite web|url=https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1373137/liverpool-city-region-devolution-deal-includes-strategic-planning-powers |title=Liverpool city-region devolution deal includes strategic planning powers |publisher=planningresource.co.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| Additional devolution agreement conferred further powers on the Combined Authority.

| {{cite web|url=https://liverpoolexpress.co.uk/consultation-devolution-arrangements-liverpool-city-region-combined-authority |title=Consultation on devolution arrangements for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority |date=5 July 2016 |publisher=Liverpool Express |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| Steve Rotheram elected as first ever Mayor of the Liverpool City Region.

| {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-39804725 |title=Liverpool 'metro mayor' results: Labour's Steve Rotheram elected |work=BBC News |date=5 May 2017 |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| UK central government confirms 'Level 4' devolution powers for the Combined Authority.

| {{cite web|url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-03-01/hcws304 |title=Update on Levelling Up measures: Statement made on 1 March 2024 |publisher=parliament.uk |access-date=9 March 2024}}

| Steve Rotheram

| Mayor of Liverpool City Region

| Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

| Mike Wharton

| Leader

| Halton Borough Council (1)

| Graham Morgan

| Leader

| Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (2)

| Liam Robinson

| Leader

| Liverpool City Council (3)

| Anthony Burns

| Leader

| St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council (4)

| Marion Atkinson

| Leader

| Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (5)

|Paul Stuart

| Leader

| Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (6)

| Chair

| Business and Enterprise Board

| Emily Spurrell

| Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner

| Merseyside Police

| Hans Mundry

| Leader

| Warrington Borough Council

| Yvonne Gagen

| Leader

| West Lancashire Borough Council

| Steve Rotheram

| Mayor of Liverpool City Region

| Liverpool City Region

Combined Authority

|Mayor (Chair)

|Policy, Resources, Reform, Transport

| Mike Wharton

| Leader

| Halton

|Deputy Mayor & Cabinet Member

|Business, Investment and Trade

| Graham Morgan

| Leader

| Knowsley

|Cabinet Member

|Housing and Regeneration

| Liam Robinson

| Leader

| Liverpool

|Cabinet Member

|Innovation

| Anthony Burns

| Leader

| St Helens

|Cabinet Member

|Net Zero

| Marion Atkinson

| Leader

| Sefton

|Cabinet Member

|Employment, Education and Skills

|Paul Stuart

| Leader

| Wirral

|Cabinet Member

|Health & Inequalities

|Emily Spurrell

|Police and Crime Commissioner

|Merseyside Police

|Cabinet Member

|Crime and Policing

|Carla Thomas

|Councillor

|Sefton

|Deputy Cabinet Member

|Policy, Reform and Resources

|Shelly Powell

|Councillor

|Knowsley

|Deputy Cabinet Member

|Education and Skills

|Portia Fahey

|Councillor

|Liverpool

|Deputy Cabinet Member

|Innovation

|Gill Wood

|Councillor

|Wirral

|Deputy Cabinet Member

|Net Zero

|vacant

| -

| -

|Deputy Cabinet Member

|Transport

|Paulette Lappin

|Councillor

|Sefton

|Deputy Cabinet Member

|Housing and Regeneration

|Sharon Thornton

|Councillor

|Halton

|Deputy Cabinet Member

|Health

|Jennie Bell

|Councillor

|St Helens

|Deputy Cabinet Member

|Crime and Policy

|Kate Groucutt

|Councillor

|St Helens

|Deputy Cabinet Member

|Business, Investment and Trade

! Existing powers and responsibilities of the Combined Authority

! Description

! Sources

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• The government requires the Combined Authority to improve productivity in the local area and the overall access to apprenticeships, careers education, information, advice and guidance for young people leaving school or college.

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• The Combined Authority works together with national government to deliver inward investment into the city region, provide jobs and long-term economic impact.
• Responsibility for supporting businesses in the city region has been devolved to the Combined Authority. The Liverpool City Region Local Growth Hub service is funded by the Department for Business and Trade, to advise local businesses on how to grow and access a range of local, national support and funding.
• The Combined Authority also oversees The Liverpool City Region Investment Zone and Liverpool City Region Freeport.
• The Liverpool City Region Investment Zone was established in 2023 to deliver 4,000 jobs across Liverpool, Runcorn, St. Helens, Maghull and Prescot up until 2028. The Investment Zone is designed to attract up to £320 million of private investment in to the city region's health and life sciences industry. The UK government has committed to making the Liverpool city region a 'pharmaceutical production superpower'.
• The investment zone complements the Liverpool City Region Freeport, home to the UK’s most productive transatlantic port. It was established in 2022 by the city region's leaders as a special area covering 300 hectares of land from Wirral Waters to Port Salford. Within the Freeport, different economic regulations apply, specifically business rates relief, tax and customs incentives (including tariff-free movement of goods for both export and import). Such incentives are designed to encourage global trade and investment, attract investors and deliver regeneration. The Freeport aims to encourage growth in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and green technologies, in line with the Combined Authority's target to be net zero carbon by 2040 at the latest.

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{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/second-investment-zone-for-the-north-to-unlock-multi-million-pound-investments |title=Second Investment Zone for the North to unlock multi-million pound investments |publisher=gov.uk |access-date=7 March 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/news/liverpool-city-region-investment-zone-funding-to-be-doubled-to-160m |title=Liverpool City Region Investment Zone funding to be doubled to £160m |publisher=Liverpool City Region Combined Authority |access-date=7 March 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/freeport |title=City Region Freeport |publisher=Liverpool City Region Combined Authority |access-date=7 March 2024}}

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• Central government has mandated the Combined Authority to work alongside the Department for Education, HM Treasury and the individual local authorities within the city region to periodically review and improve the way in which services are delivered to children.

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• The Combined Authority develops strategies surrounding culture and creativity to accelerate economic growth and tourism in the city region.
• The authority works in partnership with central government to ensure that National Museums Liverpool maintains a sustainable business model.
• The government has mandated the Combined Authority to develop a National Migration Museum to reflect Liverpool's history and heritage as an internationally significant port.

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• The Combined Authority works in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to encourage and support local benefit claimants in to employment, especially those who are deemed by the DWP as 'hardest to help'.
• The Combined Authority determines the local labour market priorities and feeds this information back to DWP.
• UK Central government provides the Combined Authority with a devolved budget to be used on education, skills and training for people aged 16 years and over.
• The Combined Authority then works in partnership with local colleges, further education, adult skills and training providers. It decides on how to allocate funding to them based on an agreement as to how they will achieve 'successful outcomes'.
• The Combined Authority must continuously monitor the Liverpool city region's educational and economic needs to improve the standards of education, skills, vocational training and prospects for adult employment.

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• Central government has mandated the Combined Authority to commit to improving the environment, including maintaining high standards of cleanliness in the River Mersey.
• The government recognises the River Mersey as having one of the largest tidal ranges in the UK.
• The government has encouraged the authority to explore a large tidal energy system to generate low carbon energy for the city region's businesses and growing population which would harness the River Mersey's tidal range over the next century.
• The Combined Authority works in collaboration with the Department of Energy and Climate Change to improve homes in the city region in order that their energy consumption is more efficient.

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• The Combined Authority manages a Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) which ensures that its devolved funding and budgets are used for investing in economic growth.
• The SIF allocates funding to significant regeneration projects throughout the city region.
• The Combined Authority may use capital receipts from sales of assets as revenue funding for public service transformational initiatives.
• The Combined Authority may exercise prudential borrowing.
• The Combined Authority is able to retain a proportion of business rates throughout the city region.
• The Liverpool City Region Mayor may place a supplement on business rates (up to a cap) to fund infrastructure projects, with consultation of the local business community.

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{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/strategic-investment-fund |title=Strategic Investment Fund |publisher=Liverpool City Region Combined Authority |access-date=7 March 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/authorities-with-increased-business-rates-retention-arrangements-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2023-to-2024/explanatory-note-for-authorities-with-increased-business-rates-retention-arrangements |title=Explanatory note for authorities with increased business rates retention arrangements |publisher=gov.uk |access-date=7 March 2024}}

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• The Combined Authority works with health organisations including the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and local National Health Service providers in the city region to strategise on health and social care services.

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• The Mayor of the Liverpool City Region exercises strategic planning powers to deliver housing, employment opportunities and economic growth across the city region. This is partly delivered via the LCR Spatial Development Strategy which provides guidance as to how land will be used in the city region and where development and infrastructure of strategic importance should take place. The document works in collaboration with the six local authorities of the city region. Therefore, many planning applications that come forward across the Liverpool city region must be considered in line with the LCR Spatial Development Strategy as well as the Local Plans for each local authority.
• The Mayor has the power to be consulted on and/or call-in planning applications of strategic importance to the city region, subject to the consent of the relevant Combined Authority member for the individual authority area.
• The Combined Authority has the power to create a Mayoral Development Corporation to support the delivery of sites of economic potential through 'Mayoral Development Zones'. This enables the authority to undertake compulsory purchase orders which are designed to assist the delivery of development.
• The Combined Authority reserves the power to develop a Land Commission (including a Joint Assets Board for economic assets). These are designed to support improved coordination between the city region and senior government officials to increase the availability of sites for economic growth and housing.
• The Combined Authority works with the government to examine how national policies and funds can be best utilised to promote home ownership and housing supply in the city region.

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{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/sds |title=LCR Spatial Development Strategy |publisher=Liverpool City Region Combined Authority |access-date=7 March 2024}}

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• The UK government supports the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in its vision for innovation to enable future economic growth and global competitiveness.

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• The Liverpool city region spans two police force areas, namely Merseyside Police and Cheshire Constabulary.
• The Combined Authority works in partnership with central government and the Police and crime commissioners at Merseyside Police and Cheshire Constabulary. The government is committed to ensuring joined up local criminal justice services in the Liverpool city region.

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• The Combined Authority is responsible for a devolved and consolidated local transport budget granted by the UK's central government. The budget is calculated by the government at frequent Spending Reviews.
• The Combined Authority is then responsible for the coordination of public transport in the city region. It conducts this responsibility through Merseytravel.
• Through the Merseyrail network, which is overseen by Merseytravel, the Combined Authority owns a fleet of trains which provide commuter rail services across the city region and adjacent areas of Cheshire and Lancashire. Extending the Merseyrail train network is a long term commitment for the authority which will be enabled by battery technology on some of the trains.
• Between late 2026 and the end of 2028, the Combined Authority will become the second area in the UK outside London to implement a full bus franchised system. Buses throughout the city region will continue to be operated by private operators, however through operating the Metro network, the Combined Authority asserts that it will have greater control over fares, tickets, routes and timetables. The authority argues that under Metro, it will also have the ability to reinvest any profit back into the city regional network to improve services for passengers. The authority further argues that this power enables bus services to be better integrated in to other modes of transport including rail services, active travel routes and Mersey Ferries.
• As part of the Liverpool city region Key Route Network, the Combined Authority exercises a range of powers over local highways and roads of strategic importance.
• The Liverpool City Region Mayor reserves the power to establish Clean Air Zones in the Combined Authority area.
• The Combined Authority works in formal partnership with central government to deliver the government's plans associated with the Northern Powerhouse and Transport for the North.

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{{cite web|url= https://api.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Key-Route-Network-Levelling-Up-FBC.pdf |title=Key Route Network Levelling Up Full Business Case |publisher=Liverpool City Region Combined Authority |access-date=7 March 2024}}{{cite web|url= https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/news/were-taking-back-control-liverpool-city-region-mayor-announces-biggest-shake-up-to-bus-network-in-40-years |title=We're taking back control: Liverpool City Region Mayor announces biggest shake up to bus network in 40 years |publisher=Liverpool City Region Combined Authority |access-date=7 March 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/news/electric-dreams-the-liverpool-city-region%E2%80%99s-new-publicly-owned-battery-trains-begin-final-testing |title=Electric dreams: the Liverpool City Region's new publicly owned battery trains begin final testing |publisher=Merseytravel |access-date=7 March 2024}}

! Impending powers and responsibilities of the Combined Authority

! Description

! Sources

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• The Combined Authority will share expertise and insight with the DCMS as regards culture, heritage, sport, communities and the visitor economy, in order to maximise the impact of funding and policy decisions taken within the city region.

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• The LCRCA is eligible for fully devolved responsibilities over non-apprenticeship adult skills.
• The Combined Authority will be eligible for fully devolved funding related to 'Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ)'.
• The Department for Education (DfE) will provide the Combined Authority with complete flexibility over its funding for 'Skills Bootcamps'.
• The Combined Authority will act as the central convenor of careers provision in the city region, creating strategic partnerships with local stakeholders to ensure that services for adults and young people align and respond to the skills needs of the local economy and with local skills planning.
• The Combined Authority will strengthen delivery of the National Careers Service and will enter in to a dialogue with central government on how to improve the service.
• The DfE will consider the future role of the Combined Authority in the delivery of Local Skills Improvement Plans and the Local Skills Improvement Fund.
• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will ask the Combined Authority to establish a new Regional Labour Market Partnership Board made up of senior officers from the authority and the DWP. It should improve employment outcomes and inform better use of public funding in the city region.
• The DWP will consider development of new contracted employment programmes, when necessary, in response to the city region's labour market conditions.
• The Combined Authority and DWP will work together to share data and improve the efficiency of employment and skills programmes and services operating in the city region.

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• The government will consider devolving net zero funding to the Combined Authority, including for retrofitting buildings.
• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will appoint the Combined Authority as responsible for the local nature recovery strategy (LNRS) in the city region.

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• The Combined Authority will be subject to a simplified funding settlement. This will involve a single ‘consolidated pot’ of funding to be transferred from the DLUHC to the authority at each appropriate Spending Review.
• The government argues that the consolidated funding will allow for better planning over the longer term, provide the Combined Authority with greater freedom and reduce administrative burden.
• Following successful delivery of the consolidated pot, the Combined Authority will then become eligible to receive a single 'department style' settlement whereby it is given a budget to cover all devolved spending areas.

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• The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) encourages the Combined Authority to work in partnership with the local Integrated care system as well as regional Directors of Public Health from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities to improve population health outcomes.
• The Combined Authority will be supported to take on a health improvement duty to improve the health of residents.

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• From 2026, the Combined Authority, in partnership with Homes England, will be able to set the overall strategic direction, objectives and local leadership for the deployment of affordable housing schemes.
• The DLUHC will collaborate with the Combined Authority to improve poor quality housing in the city region.
• The Combined Authority will be granted the power to make Mayoral Development Orders so that it can grant permission for strategic development opportunities, with the local planning authority’s consent.
• The Combined Authority will be given land assembly and compulsory purchase powers for housing, regeneration and economic development purposes subject to the agreement of the local authority constituent member and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
• DLUHC will support the Combined Authority to establish its own public sector land commission. This support will improve the relationship between the authority and central government to identify development opportunities and sites within the city region.
• The UK government will work to significantly strengthen Local resilience forums by 2030, as described in the UK government Resilience Framework. This will include a clearer role for the Combined Authority.

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• The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will work with the Combined Authority to gain a view of the UK’s business environment competitiveness and ability to attract regional investment.
• The Combined Authority will have support from the Office for Investment at the city regional level to encourage capital investment and Foreign direct investment.
• DBT will establish arrangements for the Combined Authority to gain greater influence to support business, investment and global trade opportunities.
• The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will periodically invite the Combined Authority to articulate its innovation research and development priorities to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
• DSIT and UKRI will consult the Liverpool city region mayor on the development of relevant future research and innovation strategies.

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• The government invites the Combined Authority to advise on changes to any statutory guidance or legislation applicable to its remit. The government aims for legislation to support the Combined Authority in meeting its objectives. The authority may advise the government where legislation is considered to be restrictive or should be disapplied.

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• The Liverpool City Region Mayor will be responsible for a devolved and consolidated integrated local transport settlement provided at the appropriate Spending Review.
• The government will work on the reform and greater devolution of the Bus Service Operators' Grant (BSOG).
• The Department for Transport will work with the Combined Authority to provide zero emission buses in the city region.
• The government will support a new relationship between the Combined Authority and Great British Railways (GBR) to develop the local and national rail network.
• National Highways will develop a closer working relationship with the Combined Authority to support the delivery of local transport plans.
• The government will commit to the Liverpool city region gaining the standards of public transport seen in London, with improved services, simpler fares and integrated ticketing.
• In partnership with constituent councils, the Combined Authority will develop a single set of taxi and private hire vehicle licensing standards across the entire city region.
• In partnership with constituent councils, the Combined Authority will restrict and enforce against pavement parking in the city region.
• Active Travel England (ATE) will provide support to ensure walking, wheeling and cycling schemes in the Liverpool city region.

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