Orders laid in Parliament for Liverpool City Region combined authority

The legal process to set up a combined authority for the Liverpool City Region has kicked off with the Government laying the relevant orders in Parliament.

The region comprises six councils: Halton; Knowsley; Liverpool; St Helen’s; Sefton; and Wirral.

The combined authority is expected to come into effect on 1 April 2014, subject to confirmation by each council of their commitment to the body.

The new entity will lead work on economic development, transport, housing and employment and skills.

Liverpool City Council emphasised that the combined authority would “not result in the merger or takeover of existing council functions, nor will it be a ‘super council’”.

It added: “[The combined authority] will provide clear leadership and greater transparency, while creating a legal entity which would be in a position to attract funding and devolved powers from Government.”

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said “Working together in this way will put us in a much stronger position when negotiating with government and enable us to make key strategic decisions supporting jobs, growth and regeneration in Liverpool and the whole City Region.”