URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1999

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: A report to set out the options to support or not support proceeding with giving local consent for the Secretary of State to lay an Order to establish a Mayoral Combined Authority.

Content: A report to set out the options to support or not support proceeding with giving local consent for the Secretary of State to lay an Order to establish a Mayoral Combined Authority. Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Economy and Housing concerning the devolution powers, functions and future investment opportunity for Cheshire and Warrington to be delivered via a newly created Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority with a duly elected mayor in May 2027, as part of the UK Government’s Devolution Priority Programme   Cabinet noted the recommendations that had been endorsed by the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee, which provided strategic direction and oversight across potential devolution for the region. Full Council for Cheshire West and Chester had been convened on 9th September 2025 to consider the content of the Joint Committee report and the endorsed recommendations and this was unanimously supported by the 35 Members in the Full Council meeting. As part of the formal consenting process to proceed with a Combined Authority and associated devolution powers, functions and investment, approval was required from each council: Cheshire East Borough Council; Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council and Warrington Borough Council. Meetings had been convened accordingly.   Cabinet noted that the process for endorsement varied between the three Councils according to each Council’s constitution. Cheshire East operated a committee system where Full Council would make the decision to endorse where Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Borough Council was endorsed by Full Council and then moved to Cabinet decision. Cabinet also acknowledged that the timeframe and deadlines were set by central government and could not be changed by any Local Authority. If the timeline were to be missed and the Bill were to be passed through Government, where the Statutory instruments were laid down and documents set in legislation, without Cheshire and Warrington endorsement, this opportunity would not be presented again for many years.   Cabinet recognised that a cross-party working group had investigated Devolution for over a year and this had included thorough exploration of Governance arrangements, the impact on the region, communities and individual Councils and the vision and ambitions that could be set for the region. Cabinet recognised that all groups had supported Devolution and had asked for a Mayoral election to be deferred until 2027 which had been agreed and that both Scrutiny and Audit and Governance would play a key part in review of the Mayoral Authority once it had been established.    Visiting Members:  Councillor Mike Garvey spoke in relation to the item.   Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Karen Shore, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways.   Cabinet welcomed the report and potential opportunities that Devolution could bring over the 30 year programme which would generate £21.7 million per year. Cabinet recognised the work of the Devolution task group which had included significant engagement with Business and the Voluntary sector who had all encouraged the Council to proceed with Devolution and had identified that this could bring investment into the region. Cabinet drew examples from Liverpool and Manchester where Mayoral authorities had improved the local transport network as well as opportunities for regeneration of high streets, increased investment for the arts and culture which would enhance tourism, enhanced skills and employment training, reduction of carbon emissions and improved life expectancy in all communities. Cabinet noted that Devolution powers to Local Authorities moved decision-making to the region instead of central Government and gave the prospect of investment, growth and business.   Members acknowledged some of the myths that consultation and feedback from residents had highlighted and reassurance was given that this would not result in a merger of councils and the individual finances of the three separate councils would remain as would the individual rights of each Council to conduct Council business.     DECIDED:    That   1)            approval be provided to the Secretary of State to proceed with the establishment of a Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority in accordance with existing legislation under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (as amended); 2)            the Chief Executives (Head of Paid Service), or their authorised deputy, be delegated authority to consent to the making of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026 in accordance with s.110(1)(b) Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009; 3)            inaugural Mayoral Elections in May 2027 be held; 4)            a new joint committee, to be known as the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board, to provide strategic direction and interim arrangements in the best interests of the establishment of a Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority be created; 5)            the Terms of Reference for the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board as outlined at Appendix B be approved and the Constituent Members of the Shadow Board be delegated authority to carry out the roles and functions as set out in the Terms of Reference; 6)            the Constituent Members for the Shadow Board will be the Leaders and Deputy Leaders of each constituent council as set out in the proposed Terms of Reference; 7)            the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee Terms of Reference, as outlined at Appendix C, be amended to reflect the revised function of the Joint Committee following establishment of the Combined Authority Shadow Board; 8)            new membership from each Council be appointed to the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee in accordance with the Joint Committee Terms of Reference; and 9)            the Chief Executives, in consultation with the Leaders, of each constituent Council, be delegated authority to take all other steps necessary to establish and implement the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority.   Reason for Decision   1)            Cheshire and Warrington Leaders are committed to achieving the shared vision for the area to be the healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive and growing economy in the UK by 2045. 2)            Devolution and the creation of a Combined Authority offers a key mechanism to achieve this vision with future Government investment and support on those areas with a strategic approach to delivering sustainable inclusive growth. 3)            Areas with devolved governance arrangements through Mayoral Combined Authorities are best placed to influence national direction, receive Government support, maximise private investment and to deliver maximum impact for businesses, communities and residents with the scale and focus that these devolved arrangements bring. 4)            Existing legislation requires consent from each constituent council to the making of relevant statutory instruments to establish a Combined Authority. 5)            To facilitate the establishment of a Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority, interim shadow arrangements are required to ensure ‘day one’ operational functionality and governance.   Alternative Options   An alternative option would be not to agree to provide approval to proceed with devolution for Cheshire and Warrington. This is not recommended as it would limit the opportunity for future government investment in the region and the capacity to provide a strategic approach to deliver sustainable inclusive growth for the area.

Date of Decision: September 10, 2025