Liverpool City Region authorities back devolution deal

THE councils which comprise the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority have given their approval to the devolution agreement announced earlier this week.

Council meetings took place in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral to rubber stamp their backing for the deal.

LCRCA chair Cllr Phil Davies hailed the agreement, saying: “This is a momentous day for the Combined Authority and the Liverpool City Region as a whole.

“Through this deal, we have secured almost £1bn of extra funding over the next 30 years as well as putting ourselves in a better position to support and grow our local economy.

“A fundamental aspect is the recognition by Government that decisions made about the Liverpool City Region are better taken in our City Region by local leaders than in London or Whitehall.  

“We are much better placed to take decisions about how to target investment, provide support and resources, and celebrate and promote our area.

“There is no doubt that this Government will continue with its austerity agenda which is going to see further funding cuts across our City Region.

“Even though many of us disagree completely with the Government’s overall economic policy, securing this deal puts us in the strongest possible position to cope with the challenges we will face over the coming months and years.

“The deal is the start of a long journey and our discussions with the Government will continue in order to secure further devolved powers for a range of priority issues, including delivering public sector reform and improving the health and wellbeing of people who live and work in the Liverpool City Region.”