An explanation of what combined authorities are and where they across the country.
What is a combined authority (CA)?
A combined authority (CA) is a legal body set up using national legislation that enables a group of two or more councils to collaborate and take /collective decisions across council boundaries. It is far more robust than an informal partnership or even a joint committee. The creation of a CA means that member councils can be more ambitious in their joint working and can take advantage of powers and resources devolved to them from national government. While established by Parliament, CAs are locally owned and have to be initiated and supported by the councils involved.
Where have CAs already been established?
Ten combined authorities have been established so far. Details of all powers and funding that have been devolved to individual areas can be found on the Devolution Register, as well as on the individual CA sites:
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (@CambsPboroCA)
- Greater Manchester (@Greatermcr)
- Liverpool City Region (@LpoolCityRegion)
- North of Tyne (@NorthTyneCA)
- South Yorkshire (@SouthYorksMCA)
- Tees Valley (@TeesValleyCA)
- West Midlands (@WestMids_CA)
- West of England (@WestofEnglandCA)
- West Yorkshire (@WestYorkshireCA)
No directly elected mayor
Learn more about CAs
The creation of a CA means that member councils can be more ambitious in their joint working and can take advantage of powers and resources devolved to them from national government. While established by Parliament, CAs are locally owned and have to be initiated and supported by the councils involved.