Cheshire East councillors back progress on devolution

Cheshire East Council has supported plans to establish a Mayoral Combined Authority for Cheshire and Warrington.

At yesterday's Full Council meeting, councillors backed the proposed devolution proposals – a decision that has the potential to unlock significant new powers and funding for transport, housing, skills, and economic growth. The decision comes just one week after Cheshire West and Chester Council voted in favour of devolution during a Full Council meeting on Tuesday 9th September, followed by a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 10 September.

Warrington Borough Council remains the final authority to confirm its decision at the Cabinet meeting taking place on Monday 22 September, following endorsement at the Warrington Borough Council meeting on Monday 15th September. If approved by all three councils, government will enact legislation to give local leaders more control over decisions that directly affect their residents and communities.

The proposed Mayoral Combined Authority would represent more than one million residents and could be operational by early 2026, with the first Mayoral election expected in May 2027.

Council Leader, Cllr Nick Mannion and Deputy Leader, Cllr Michael Gorman, said:

"The council’s decision today is a clear signal that Cheshire and Warrington is ready to take greater control over the future of our area. Taking control of key decisions locally means we can respond more effectively to the challenges our residents face and take the opportunities that devolution will bring to the area.

“Devolution is about unlocking real opportunities for people and places, our towns and rural communities. With confirmation of over £650million of government funding that will come to Cheshire and Warrington to be spent on local priorities including improving transport links, boosting local services, and supporting business growth over the next 30 years – the potential benefits are enormous.

“Our focus remains on open, collaborative working with residents and partners to ensure that the changes we pursue deliver clear and lasting benefits. While the path ahead will require dedication, this decision sets us firmly on course for a more dynamic and prosperous future.”

For more information about the Cheshire and Warrington devolution programme, visit: 

https://www.cheshireandwarringtondevolution.com.

To read the full Joint Committee report, visit: 

cheshireandwarringtondevolution.com/key-documents

To read the report to Cheshire East Council, visit: 

Agenda for Council on Wednesday 17 September, 2025, 2pm | Cheshire East Council.

About the Cheshire and Warrington Devolution Programme:

Devolution would make a huge difference to Cheshire and Warrington. It's all about giving our area more say in our own future, more funding, and more power to improve the things that matter most to you, like transport, the economy, and job opportunities.

It would help us improve public transport, connecting our towns and rural communities, giving people better access to jobs, and the local services they want and need.

It would also enable Cheshire and Warrington to secure long-term funding to invest in skills training and businesses – leading to more jobs and better opportunities for our residents.

To ensure greater local control and more funding, the people of Cheshire and Warrington would vote to elect a Mayor to represent the area in May 2027. A Mayor would give our area a voice at national and international level – really putting Cheshire and Warrington on the map – now is the time to make devolution happen.