Chief Executive Katherine Fairclough considers the power of partnership in the Liverpool City Region.

The recent publication of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill gave us all in the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority the opportunity to reflect – not just on how far we’ve come – but also on how we’ve managed to get here.

When I say “we,” I mean the Combined Authority and the six boroughs that form the Liverpool City Region. Because at the heart of our progress is genuine partnership. The ability to move quickly and deliver effectively didn’t come from top-down directives – it came from investing time in relationships, listening to our leaders and chief executives across the patch, and shaping something with them, not for them.

It wasn’t always smooth. There were growing pains, and natural concerns around what some might call “mission creep.” But what grounded us was a shared commitment to respectful collaboration. When that happens, everyone wins.

Now, with the Devolution Bill taking things to the next level, we know the pace will quicken. The stakes are higher. Delivery must be sharper. But I believe we’re ready. Under Mayor Steve Rotheram’s leadership, supported by six outstanding local leaders who put collective ambition ahead of individual recognition, we’ve laid solid foundations.

A great example? The creation of the Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy partnership. Liverpool has spent nearly 40 years developing a world-class visitor offer.

Instead of duplicating that effort, we worked with Liverpool City Council to build something new – together. The result is a shared model, built on mutual respect and smart use of specialist skills, that now benefits the whole region. This simply wouldn’t have been possible five years ago.

And this is just the beginning. The collaboration we’ve seen is already delivering real outcomes for residents, and we’ve got more exciting developments on the way.

In the Liverpool City Region, we’re ready to deliver – together.