Blackburn town’s centre’s Innovation Quarter is set for a £6million devolution boost from the government. It is part of the first £20 million in grants to be released by Whitehall in preparation for the setting up of Lancashire’s new Combined County Authority
Lancashire County Council’s cabinet on Thursday approved making the authority the accountable body for the grant, and any further funding, prior to the CCA being set up early next year. Cllr Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The initially agreed projects will start us on the journey of a new way of working with government for the benefit of the whole of Lancashire once the County Combined Authority is formally established.
“These are all designed to make sure we are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities ahead and our borough’s entrepreneurial spirit.” LCC leader Cllr Phillippa Williamson said: “This funding is just the first pot of money which will come to Lancashire thanks to the new CCA.