Discussions over Warrington-Cheshire devolution deal continue

Devolution was highlighted during the Chancellor’s recent autumn statement.

Jeremy Hunt said to ‘unlock growth’ right across the country, ‘we need to make it easier for local leaders to make things happen without banging on a Whitehall door’.

Warrington Borough Council’s (WBC) Labour group voted for the town to team up with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council in a devolution deal – instead of the Liverpool City Region – in January 2017.

It has previously been reported that, if arrangements are thrashed out, the move would see the Government delegate major powers to the three authorities – and it could deliver funds of at least £30 million a year for a decade, although it may have the potential to secure this amount of cash for close to 25 years.

WBC chief executive Steven Broomhead has provided an update on the situation.

He said: “In the last year we have continued to have discussions with Government officials about their approaches to levelling up and what they call county deals.

“It has been a continuous dialogue based around what benefits would Cheshire – Warrington and the two Cheshire authorities – get. Benefits from devolution for us and how the Government would benefit from a deal.

“Particular issues are transport, skills, infrastructure and the environment. Those discussions have been supported by all three councils.

“There is no agreement on that yet, but it has been a proactive approach. We want to make sure that whatever is offered to us is acceptable to us.

“Any deal done around devolution, we have to make sure the public are properly engaged and consulted on it.”

Mr Broomhead was also asked about the potential for devolution to deliver £30 million a year for a period of time.

He said: “The Government is in a very different financial situation than it was, it is not certain.

“The money is one thing, but it is about the powers you get.

“The options of different types of leadership, including an elected mayor, have been part of the discussions.

“There is no decision not to have one, and no decision to have one either.”

Warrington South Tory MP Andy Carter has also shared his views on the matter.

He said: “The Government have established a number of models for devolving more responsibilities to local leaders, it doesn’t necessarily mean there would be an elected mayor for Cheshire and Warrington.

“I do think there could be benefits from having a focus on investment in the area and joined up activity with other parts of Cheshire, however much has changed since the topic was discussed by Warrington Borough Council in 2017.

“I’m keen to understand all the benefits for my constituents of moving to a different model and any move towards an additional tier of devolved government must be for the clear benefit of all areas it includes, and not just devolution for devolution’s sake.”

Neighbouring St Helens Council joined the Liverpool City Region as part of a devolution deal in 2015.

St Helens Council leader Cllr David Baines said: “Devolution is about making sure that decisions affecting communities are made as close as possible to those communities, and as much as possible by those affected.

“It only really works when funding is devolved along with decision making powers, and since the City Region was formed we’ve done a good job of securing as much funding as possible for the region and for St Helens borough.”

Cllr Baines also highlighted some of the main benefits of the devolution deal for St Helens and its residents.

He added: “From large regeneration projects like Glass Futures, Parkside, and rebuilding Lea Green Station, to working to bring buses back under public control, and attracting investment in skills and training, culture and the arts – as a member of the City Region our borough gets out far more than we put in.

“There is no question we’re stronger and better off in the City Region, working alongside partners and speaking with one voice on common challenges and opportunities.”