An explanation of what combined authorities are and where they are 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.
Current combined authorities (not including GLA)
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
- Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority
- East Midlands Combined County Authority
- Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority
- Greater Manchester Combined Authority
- Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Lancashire Combined County Authority
- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- North East Combined Authority
- South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
- Tees Valley Combined Authority
- West Midlands Combined Authority
- The West of England Combined Authority
- West Yorkshire Combined Authority
- York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
Expected combined authorities
- Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority
- Cumbria Combined Authority
- Greater Essex Combined Authority
- Hampshire and the Solent Combined Authority
- Norfolk and Suffolk Combined Authority
- Sussex and Brighton Combined Authority
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.