Cheshire East Council councillors have voted to support plans to establish a Mayoral Combined Authority for Cheshire and Warrington.
At its full council meeting today (September 17th), councillors narrowly backed the proposed devolution proposals which supporters say could unlock significant new powers and funding for transport, housing, skills, and economic growth.
The proposals were passed by a vote of 36-32 for Cheshire East Council.
The decision comes one week after Cheshire West and Chester Council voted in favour of devolution during a full council meeting.
Warrington Borough Council remains the final authority to confirm its decision at the Cabinet meeting taking place on Monday September 22nd.
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.
CEC Council Leader Cllr Nick Mannion and Deputy Leader Cllr Michael Gorman (pictured) 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.”
Crewe and Nantwich MP, Connor Naismith, welcomed the vote but criticised some Tory councillors for voting against it.
He said: “Today, Cheshire East councillors have secured the future of our towns.
“Cheshire and Warrington will receive investment of over £650 million across the next 30 years to improve our own transport, housing, education and employment services.
“This Labour government is holding true to the commitments made at the general election.
“I’m disappointed that Conservative councillors chose to dig their heels in and vote against these proposals, putting Crewe and Nantwich at risk of missing out on vital investment.”
Mr Naismith says he wrote to Cllrs James Pratt (Crewe St Barnabas), Roger Morris (Crewe Central), Margaret Simon (Wistaston), Steve Edgar (Haslington) and Alison Heler (Haslington) last week urging them to vote in line with residents’ best interests.
For more information about the Cheshire and Warrington devolution programme, visit cheshireandwarringtondevolution.com
These two Councillors remind me of Laurel and Hardy.
‘ Another fine mess you have got me in’
Cheshire East Council has failed to deliver value to the tax payer, so what hope and specifically what evidence have the citizens of Cheshire East been given to prove they can reduce overall costs and deliver value.
No detailed business plan has been published with costings, management structure , salaries, pension costs, redundancies and costs.
Councillors have failed to hold Directors and Executives to account. The plan to save 91million pounds over the next 4 years has still to be delivered to the Council.
The Leader and his Deputy cannot hold the Chief Executive to account for the failure to deliver this plan in a timely manner. Tell me if I am wrong.
Angela Raynor when Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government’s department department failed to produce any form business plan for this extensive Local Government re-organisation.
Government borrowing for August is 18 billion, this is well above the projections of of the Office of Budget Responsibility. The highest since the COVID Pandemic, the highest on record for any August.
What at the figure for Cheshire East month by month. Where are they on a month by month basis, income against expenditure. Has their income cost ratio fallen or increased?
What action is being taken to recover the 20 million pounds of unpaid council tax.
We have a council that has wasted 11 million on a car park in Crewe, they can not operate the car park so it makes a surplus or profit. They spent 11 million pounds on Consultants for HS2.
Money is wasted from dishwashers to mobile phones. `
We have a local authority which has nearly tipped into bankruptcy. The citizen of Cheshire East are kept in the dark, it is like mushroom management, keep every one in the dark and drop them into poo!!
We have right to ask for the sight of detailed business plan and all relevant costing including savings to the tax payer.
I predict we will be hit with yet another huge hike in Council Tax next year.
Management is about achieving objectives, effectively, within budget, delivering value for the tax payer. Directors and Executives being held responsible for failure.
It appears to me it is all about grabbing a headline, obtaining the sound bite, There is a failure to deliver for the residents of Cheshire East
Management is about delivery of service SMARTLY, effectively, providing value.
@Ronx. I hear you.
Wardle has a population of 271 out of a total CE population of about 412,000, thats 0.066% (figures from the internet)
CE total budget is about 402 million so that means about £26,500 pounds per year could be spent in Wardle. I guess that means the roads, drains, pavements and community area cant get done but maybe ask how much money IS being spent in Wardle per capita and see what the answer is!
No brainer really this lot need to be nursed towards efficiency
I have previously commented on the cost of Andy Burnham’s Mayors Office for GMC. A Band D property has over £110 + on top of what they already pay to their local Council. Having quickly read the report which is short on costings it appears that in the near future 4 high salaried jobs are needed plus Admin, Communications and Policy Support personnel The report mentions Steve Rotherham’s LCR Band D additional costs of £24 per year. The lowest has been chosen as the example and I have said this before. The Consultation earlier this year had 1663 respondents – 89 from Organisations 1574 from the Public. The Publics response against ranged from 55% to 61%.
The vote was 36 for 32 against your article did not mention the 14 either abstainers or non- attendees. Interesting how democracy works.
Only narrowly voted through and this statement is telling…..”could unlock significant new powers and funding for transport, housing, skills, and economic growth”.
£650 million over next 30 years is not a lot of diversified funds spread over Cheshire West, Warrington and Cheshire East. MAYBE I MAY SEE SOME OF THOSE FUNDS SPENT IN WARDLE AREA OF CHESHIRE EAST – ROADS ARE A DISGRACE, GUTTERS/STORM DRAINS A DISGRACE, PAVEMENTS NOT SWEPT, NO COMMUNITY AREA ETC ETC ETC
Naismith – councillors have the right to vote for what they believe and SHOULD NOT have been criticised by you for some who voted against it AND should not have stated they were Tories. Shame on you.