Cheshire and Warrington councils issue joint statement on devolution

The leaders of the three councils covering Cheshire and Warrington have issued a statement indicating their intentions to pursue greater devolution of power to the region.

The statement follows publication of the government’s English Devolution White Paper, which set out the government’s intention to grant greater powers to regional Mayors, support greater co-operation between local authorities through the creation of more combined authorities, and give local leaders greater say on issues such as housing, employment and transport such as already exist in Greater Manchester.

Publication of the White Paper also confirmed discussions between government and local leaders in Cheshire regarding greater devolution of power could begin next year. At its meeting on November 29, Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee, which provides leadership on strategic economic issues for the region, agreed to amend its terms of reference allowing it to provide oversight and direction for potential devolution.

Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and 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, said:

“It’s clear that devolution is going to become the default way of working across a range of government policy areas, and that it would bring significant power and funding to the Cheshire & Warrington region. The White Paper provides us with the foundation for more detailed conversations with government about what devolution could look like for us.

“We’re ambitious for our region. Devolution would allow us to make more decisions here in Cheshire & Warrington, rather than decisions about our region and its almost 1 million residents being made in London.

“We’re a successful region but we also face pressure in key areas that the government wants to devolve to regions, such as transport, skills and housing. 

“Devolution would allow us to focus on what is most important to us. We need affordable and convenient transport for residents in our rural areas and our towns, large and small; affordable homes in the right places, close to employment and services, and a workforce with the skills our businesses need. 

“The White Paper sets out how 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.

“Devolution could offer us many opportunities – and it has to be right for our region, our residents, communities and businesses. We will create opportunities for people living and working in Cheshire & Warrington to have their say through a range of consultation and engagement events that will be used to help inform the devolution agreement.”

If all three councils agree to changes to the Terms of Reference, the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee, which comprises Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington councils, working alongside Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington, will be able to form specific recommendations about any devolution agreement that would then be put to each council for a final, formal decisions.

Plans set out in the Devolution White Paper will equip Mayors with a range of new powers across strategic planning, housing, transport and skills to effect change in their regions. Mayors in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region and the North East will be the first to receive new integrated funding settlements, covering housing, regeneration, local growth, transport, skills, retrofit and employment support and eliminating the need to apply to Whitehall for funding on a case-by-case basis.

Plans also will look to streamline local government in rural areas by merging district and county councils into unitary authorities of around 500,000 inhabitants, as has already happened in Cheshire, and bringing councils together into larger strategic authorities.