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Steps to devolution
Cheshire and Warrington is part of the government’s Devolution Priority Programme (DPP). This means that plans to set up a new Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority in early 2026 and hold Mayoral elections in May 2027 have been accepted by government and approved by the three constituent councils.
Devolution is about national government transferring powers and resources away from London and into regions. It’s not about merging councils or taking decisions away from councils. Individual councils will retain most of their current responsibilities and continue to provide services for local people.
Cheshire and Warrington is a successful place but we also face pressure in areas such as transport, skills, and housing. We need affordable and convenient transport for residents in our rural areas and our towns, large and small, affordable homes in the right places, close to employment and services, and a workforce with the skills our businesses need now and in the future.
People don’t live their lives according to council boundaries - they live, work, learn and spend time in different places, so a regional approach to improving things like skills shortages, housing and transport makes sense.
Preparing for devolution
Now that the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee and each constituent council has approved moving forward with devolution, formal consent has been given to enable government to move forward with legislation to formally establish the new Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority.
A Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board has been set-up to make arrangements in the best interest of the establishment of the new Combined Authority.
Views continue to be sought from the area's residents, communities, and businesses around devolution and the benefits it will bring to Cheshire and Warrington.
This website has been set up to share information about devolution and is updated regularly.
The Shadow Board
"We welcome the government’s commitment to devolving powers away from London to areas like Cheshire and Warrington.
"The Shadow Board is made up of Leaders and Deputy Leaders of Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Warrington Borough Council, alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, and the Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board.
"We’re ambitious for our area and believe devolution will bring significant powers and funding that will benefit our residents, communities, and businesses. It will allow us to make more decisions here in Cheshire and Warrington, rather than decisions about our area and its almost one million residents being made in London. "
Cllr Louise Gittins
Cllr Hans Mundry
Cllr Nick Mannion
Cllr Michael Gorman
