These are early days for most combined authorities. So what can we say about them for sure?

First, the burden of expectation from local and national government is high. It is clear that combined authorities, including those yet to be created, are expected to play a crucial place-based leadership role in dealing with the social and economic challenges at the heart of vibrant economies in modern England. Challenges include increasing productivity, implementing the Industrial Strategy and navigating the local implications of Brexit. Whether the public can make sense of the roles of mayors and combined authorities is a different question.