Cheshire East, West and Warrington councils ask to go on devolution fast track

Devolution for Cheshire is a step closer after leaders of Cheshire and Warrington’s three councils wrote to the Government asking for the region to be included in its fast track programme for devolution.

This would formally open conversations with the Government about potential new powers and funding Cheshire and Warrington could receive if it goes ahead with devolution.

It follows a meeting last September between the leaderships and Jim McMahon, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution.

Approval of the scheme could see the regions embrace devolution by May 2026.

Devolution has helped transform the prospects for the Liverpool and Manchester city regions after a range of powers were transferred from Whitehall to the regions.

Now, Cheshire and Warrington are keen to explore the possibilities of devolution further, although the leaders have previously insisted: “Any potential devolution agreement would need to be right for our region and its residents and businesses, and informed by the views of our residents, businesses and communities.”

Their latest letter to Jim McMahon, follows the publication of a White Paper in December 2024, which sets out the Government’s commitment to devolution across England.

It states the three councils’ aspirations to seek a devolution agreement that would include an elected Mayor. 

In the letter, Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council, Cllr Hans Mundry, Leader of Warrington Borough Council, and the Leader and Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Nick Mannion and Cllr Michael Gorman, state: “The three local authorities, Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester and Warrington are committed to working in partnership to progress a devolution agreement with His Majesty’s Government and establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority by May 2026.

“We look forward to working with you and your colleagues in 2025 and are grateful that you have recognised all the previous preplanning work we have done together that has resulted in us being recognised for inclusion in the Devolution Priority Programme.”

Before any agreement, views will be sought from the regions’ residents, communities and businesses on how devolution could benefit Cheshire and Warrington.

Any formal devolution agreement would need to be agreed by each council as well as the Cheshire & Warrington Joint Committee, which provides leadership on strategic economic issues for the region.

The leaders added: “It’s clear that devolution would bring significant power and funding to the Cheshire and Warrington region. We’re ambitious for our region and we want to seize this opportunity to benefit our residents, communities and businesses.

“Devolution would allow us to make more decisions here in Cheshire and Warrington, rather than decisions about our region and its almost one million residents being made in London. 

“Being part of the Government’s priority programme would put us at the front of the queue for the potential benefits of devolution – and reaffirms that we are working together to get the best outcomes for our region.

“Devolution is about national government transferring powers and resources away from London and into regions. It’s not about merging councils. Individual councils would retain their current responsibilities and continue to provide services for local people.”

The Cheshire and Warrington region comprises Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester and Warrington councils, working alongside Enterprise Cheshire & Warrington.