Businesses back plans for Lancashire Mayor but changes "must deliver real benefits"
Nearly 70 per cent were broadly supportive of a Lancashire Mayor, but only if it delivered clear economic benefits...
Lancashire businesses have cautiously backed plans for a directly elected Mayor for the county – but are demanding more powers, extra Government funding and guarantees that the new system will not increase costs.
A survey carried out by the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and Lancaster & Morecambe Chamber of Commerce found that 65.16 per cent of businesses either strongly supported or tended to support the introduction of an elected Mayor.
Just 13.55 per cent opposed the proposal, although more than one in five respondents remained neutral or undecided.
The strongest message from businesses was that devolution must bring tangible financial benefits to Lancashire.
More than 92 per cent said securing additional funding from Government was important, while almost 67 per cent believed a Mayor could give Lancashire a stronger voice in Westminster and help attract investment.
But concerns over the potential cost of a new layer of governance were also highlighted.
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Almost 80 per cent of businesses said they would be concerned if the changes resulted in increased costs for companies or council taxpayers.
Half of respondents said they would support a Mayor only if additional powers and funding were guaranteed for Lancashire. Fewer than one in five backed the introduction of a Mayor without any conditions.
Overall, almost 69 per cent were broadly supportive of a Mayoral Authority, but only if it delivered clear economic benefits.
Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said businesses recognised the opportunities devolution could bring but that their support was "not unconditional".
She said: "Businesses are telling us that any new governance arrangements must deliver real benefits in the form of additional funding, greater local powers and improved economic opportunities.
"At the same time, they want assurances that these changes will not create additional costs or bureaucracy."
Simon Brierley, recently appointed chief executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said the findings showed businesses were willing to support further discussions if Lancashire could secure a "genuinely stronger deal through devolution".
Graham White, chief executive of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, said the results provided a mandate for further exploration of a Mayoral Authority.
But he added that businesses expected a "strong economic case and clear accountability" before any final decisions were made.
The three Chambers said they would continue engaging with businesses, councils and the Government as discussions over Lancashire's future governance arrangements continue.