Liverpool City Region welcomes new law strengthening devolution and giving more power to communities

THE Liverpool City Region Combined Authority welcomed a major step forward for devolution after a new law was passed giving more power to local areas.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act received Royal Assent this week, giving the Combined Authority greater control over funding, a clearer route to seek new powers and stronger frameworks to improve transparency, accountability and community involvement.

The Act gives Liverpool City Region greater control over its finances with a new Integrated Settlement introduced on April 1 combining multiple Government funding streams into a single multi year budget.

The move gives local leaders more control over:- planning and investment across transport, housing, skills, regeneration, net zero and inclusive growth.

The Act also introduces a new:- 'right to request,' making it simpler for combined authorities to seek additional devolved powers such introducing an overnight visitor levy.

Alongside new powers, the Act sets clearer expectations for how the:- Combined Authority, Local Councils and public sector partners work together to deliver across the City Region.

It also strengthens transparency, accountability and community involvement, with the aim of:- supporting stronger leadership, bringing decisions closer to local people and making public investment more effective.

Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said:- "This legislation gives the Liverpool City Region more clarity, stability and flexibility. Having greater control over funding will help us plan for the long term and make better, more joined-up decisions about how we invest locally. The new right to request also gives us a clear route to take on more powers in future where there is a strong case. This will help us work with our 6 local authorities and partners to deliver real long term benefits for residents and businesses."

Also commenting on this was the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President, Gavin Lane, has added:- "Too often decisions made in Whitehall hold the rural economy back. So we asked Government to devolve authority for rural affairs to local communities, and they have listened. This means that mayors and local authorities will have real powers to help businesses to:- grow the economy, create jobs, sustain our communities and protect our way of life. But we must not be naive. While devolution brings real opportunities, it also risks town halls making the same mistakes that national governments have for years. On this basis, local authorities must work constructively with business owners on:- transport, planning, housing, skills, land use and growth to maximise the impact of these new powers."

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will now work with Government, its constituent Councils and Regional partners to implement the Act and ensure that the new powers and funding arrangements deliver tangible benefits across the City Region in the years ahead.

Refurbished Speke Police Station reopens to serve the community after state of the art upgrade

SPEKE Police Station has officially reopened its doors following a major refurbishment programme that has transformed the 60 year old building into a modern, energy efficient, and future proof policing hub.

The extensive upgrade forms part of the Police and Crime Commissioner's 12 year Estate Strategy, which is modernising Merseyside Police facilities to ensure Officers and staff are equipped to deliver the highest standards of service to communities across the Region.

First opened in 1958, the station has long been a familiar landmark at the heart of the Speke community. Following decades of service, the building had become outdated and increasingly expensive to maintain, with refurbishment work beginning in spring 2025.

Now, following a comprehensive renovation, the station is once again ready to provide a state of the art operational base for local policing teams.

The refurbished station will primarily accommodate the Local Policing Community team as well as Emergency Incident Response and Resolution Officers, ensuring a strong and visible policing presence for residents and businesses.

Improvements delivered during the refurbishment include:-

Modernised infrastructure to support contemporary policing operations.
Upgraded IT and technology, enabling more efficient ways of working.
Enhanced energy efficiency, reducing running costs and lowering the station's environmental impact.
Flexible, open plan layouts to support collaboration and smarter working practices.

Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, said:- "I'm delighted to see Speke Police Station back open and fully operational, right in the heart of the Speke community, following this major refurbishment. This investment is about putting local communities 1st ensuring our Officers have the modern, efficient and sustainable facilities they need to deliver the very best service. Speke Police Station has proudly served this community for more than 6 decades, but sadly, the old facility had become outdated and very costly to run. By transforming the building, we can now facilitate modern ways of working, effective partnerships, efficiency improvements and increased flexibility, allowing smarter, more modern, and cost effective ways of working. I'm very confident that these enhancements will help to ensure Speke Police Station is fit and future-proofed to serve our Officers, staff and the local community, for many, many years to come."

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Rob Carden said:- "Reopening Speke Police Station is a significant moment for both our teams and the community. This refurbishment has transformed a well used building into a modern, efficient hub that fully supports the demands of today's policing. The timing is important, as it comes alongside our transition to the new geographical Basic Command Unit (BCU) model. Having a state of the art station in Speke strengthens our local footprint and supports our commitment to delivering a Police service that is fast, effective and responsive to local needs. With these improvements, our Officers are better equipped, our operations more effective, and our presence in the heart of Speke stronger than ever. This station will continue to serve and support Speke well into the future."

The reopening also marks a moment of remembrance, with the unveiling of a memorial plaque in honour of PCSO Tommy Highton, a much loved colleague and longstanding servant of the Speke community. Tommy served the area for more than 20 years and was widely regarded as the heart and soul, and foundation of Speke Police Station.

PCSO Highton's family were in attendance for the unveiling, marking a fitting tribute to a man remembered for his warmth, humour and deep connection with the community he served.

The reopening of Speke Police Station marks the culmination of a project that began with the submission of a planning application on:- 1 October 2024. Planning permission was granted on:- 19 December 2024. Community engagement and consultation have been integral to the delivery of the project.

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Liverpool City Region welcomes new law strengthening devolution and giving more power to communities

Refurbished Speke Police Station reopens to serve the community after state of the art upgrade