A Cheshire and Warrington devolution deal could see a combined authority with an elected mayor established in 2026 – subject to an agreement being thrashed out. Warrington Borough Council’s Labour group voted for the town to team up with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council in a devolution deal – instead of the Liverpool City Region – in January 2017.
Talks have been taking place between the three authorities and the Government. The prospect of a deal for Cheshire and Warrington appeared to stall for a number of years – but the issue has been progressing at pace in recent months.
An update on devolution was included in the agenda of Warrington Borough Council’s supporting the local economy policy committee for its recent December meeting. The information on devolution stated that the leaders of the three local authorities have ‘agreed to progress’ towards the establishment of a combined authority with an elected mayor – subject to a devolution agreement – in May 2026.
It said officers from the three local authorities met with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government officials, based on the May 2026 proposal. Furthermore, it highlighted that the Government’s White Paper on devolution with ‘associated guidance’ is expected to be received, which will set out the ‘milestones towards a May 2026 position’, and the ‘expected role’ of local authorities and the Government.
Warrington Borough Council chief executive Steven Broomhead said working towards the establishment of combined authority with an elected mayor in 2026 is the ‘direction of travel’ – but he emphasised there needs to be ‘full agreement’ before it can be progressed to that stage. He also highlighted the White Paper, which should be ready before Christmas.
“We are eagerly awaiting to see what is in there,” he said. Mr Broomhead said the three councils are working ‘really well’ together. “Whatever agreement we get, we want it to be an ambitious agreement for the whole of Cheshire, which obviously includes Warrington,” he said.
Mr Broomhead described the May 2026 date as an ‘indicative timeline’, while stating that ‘independence’ of the three councils would still remain if a devolution deal is agreed. Cheshire police and crime commissioner Dan Price, Labour, said he thinks devolution will be a good thing for Cheshire and Warrington
He highlighted the impact of devolution in Manchester and Liverpool, saying they have ‘got so much more freedom’ and decision-making is ‘taken far closer to the people who are affected by it’. “That is what we need to move towards,” he said.
“I’m a huge advocate of it – I think it’s long overdue for Cheshire and Warrington. I think if we can get it done, as soon as possible, then I think that will be a great thing.” Mr Price was also asked if he thinks it would have any impact on policing in Cheshire and Warrington.
He said: “Obviously there is change on the horizon, but as it looks at the moment, it would appear that Cheshire Constabulary wouldn’t be affected, and I’m pleased about that, because I wouldn’t want changes to the Constabulary, because we’ve got a functioning Constabulary, and we don’t want to do anything to destabilise that.”
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