Cheshire and Warrington councils fast-tracked for devolution

Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington Councils have been given the go-ahead to progress with a devolution deal at pace.

Following the launch of the Government's English Devolution White Paper in December, the three council leaders have now been informed that the three unitary authorities have been included in the Government's 'Devolution Priority Programme'.

The Government says "The programme – one of the largest ever single packages of mayoral devolution in England - will support the areas to move towards devolution at pace, becoming mayor-led strategic authorities by May next year if they proceed."

Cllr Nick Mannion, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said, "This is a once in a generation opportunity to use our local skills and knowledge along with our wider partners to help shape investment in our people and places across Cheshire and Warrington. The goal will be for sustainable growth that benefits all our communities, with no-one left behind.

"The three Councils already work well together so it's a natural evolution to continue that partnership to a greater degree. Now we have the momentum to realise the advantages that devolution will bring - in transport, housing, skills and employment across the region."

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "The truth is that for all the promises of levelling up, central government's first instinct is all too often to hoard power and hold our economy back. Too many decisions affecting too many people are made by too few.

"We promised to achieve a devolution revolution by overseeing the greatest transfer of power from Westminster in a generation, and today's announcement will help raise living standards, improve public services and build the homes we so desperately need.

"By taking a common-sense approach to reorganisation, boosted by our reforms to give mayors a suite of vital new powers, we will make sure areas can truly deliver on our Plan for Change."