Cheshire leaders meet with new Labour Government to open discussions on a devolution deal as the county looks to follow the lead of Liverpool city region and Greater Manchester. Tony McDonough reports

Chester would be part of the new devolution deal. Picture by Tony McDonough

Cheshire is moving closer to following the lead of Liverpool city region and Greater Manchester in securing a devolution deal with the Government.

In the last few days leaders from across Cheshire, including representatives from Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington Councils met with Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon.

Also in attendance were representatives from Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington. They described the meeting with the minister as “very positive” with more detailed discussions now set to begin. 

Cheshire has looked on over the past decade while both Liverpool city region and Greater Manchester have secured devolution deals. This has meant greater control over areas such as public transport, housing, skills and economic development.

Liverpool city region first agreed a devolution deal with the Government in 2015 and Steve Rotheram was first elected as Metro Mayor in 2017. He has won re-election on two occasions since. His remit includes Halton which is actually in Cheshire.

Andy Burnham was also first elected in Greater Manchester in 2017 and is also still the mayor for the region.

In a joint statement the Cheshire leaders said: “A successful devolution agreement would allow us to make more decisions in Cheshire and Warrington, rather than decisions about our region and its almost one million residents being made in London.

“Cheshire and Warrington has a strong track record of partnership working over many years with shared ambitions across a number of priority areas.”

It added these areas included driving sustainable economic growth and jobs (promoting the life sciences, manufacturing and agricultural sectors); constructing the right houses in the right places; and building an integrated transport system.

They also included reducing health inequalities; working with employers to deliver skills and training; achieving industrial decarbonisation and promoting workable solutions to the energy crisis.

Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Metro Mayors, Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham

The statement went on: “Our three councils have been working successfully together for many years with a shared vision to be the healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive and growing economy in the UK. The right devolution agreement could allow us to build on this great work.

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“Devolution is about national government transferring powers and resources to local government. It is not about merging councils. Individual councils would retain their current responsibilities and continue to deliver services for local people.

“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.”