At an Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council this week, elected members voted in favour of a new Cheshire & Warrington Combined Mayoral Authority in 2026, by the narrowest of margins; 36 to 32 votes in favour of the plans.
Supporters backed the plans saying it would trigger investment, jobs and infrastructure. Objectors highlighted concerns regarding the extra layer of bureaucracy and the failure to offer reassurance for rural areas across Cheshire, as the new Devolution Bill (currently passing through Parliament) “is silent” on matters of rural devolution.
A new mayor would be elected by the public in 2027 and the Government has now confirmed, that the base funding will be £650 million over 30 years, with an additional £4 million to establish the authority. There will be additional funding for transport, adult skills, jobs and housing.”
Council Leader Nick Mannion (Lab) and Deputy Leader; Michael Gorman (Ind) extolled potential benefits for skills, investment and transport but could offer no guarantees as to how these outcomes would be achieved.
Conservative Councillors were clear in their support of the concept of Devolution, citing the negotiated deals of the last Conservative Government that provided more generously funded deals with Combined Mayoral Authorities such as Manchester and Liverpool, but were equally clear that the current offer on the table was insufficient in comparison, and failed to consider the wider devolution geography of Cheshire & Warrington.
Cllr Jos Saunders (Poynton: Con) stated that Cheshire would not be getting the good deal that Manchester had received.
She stated: “I represent a ward which has a large rural and semi-rural community and my residents, unfortunately, see nothing in this that will benefit them. “I was elected to represent my residents, and I do listen to all their views, and all they can see is another layer of bureaucracy that they will have to pay for.”
It was not just Conservative Councillors who had serious reservations.
Alsager councillor Rod Fletcher (Lib Dem) said:
“Since 2009 small towns and rural areas have suffered under Cheshire East, with most money going to larger towns like Crewe and Macclesfield and, with devolution, this could get even worse”.
“It has been announced that the mayor will receive £650 million but over 30 years, that’s around £21 million a year for the three unitary councils.”
He added: “Most mayoral authorities charge a precept. This puts extra pressure on people, many of whom are currently struggling to pay council tax.” “Small towns and rural areas could end up paying yet more council tax, but get little, if anything, in return.”
Cllr Ashley Farrall (Macclesfield, non-grouped) cited the Public Consultation that Government initiated earlier this year highlighting that there was no mandate from the public to back devolution, saying;
“Less than 0.2 per cent of residents responded to the consultation, most residents were against.” He added: “In 2027 the new authority will be chaired by a directly elected mayor. Councillors will sit at the table, but no major decisions can pass without the mayor’s say. The mayor will gain new planning powers too, that risks overriding our local plan.”
Conservative Group Leader Stewart Gardiner made it clear that Devolution was a fundamental Conservative Policy, first initiated by previous Tory Chancellor George Osborne.
But the Labour Government’s interpretation of the policy was being rushed through, with little meaningful engagement or policy focus that would meet the needs of all residents in the devolved area.
This Extraordinary meeting was arranged at short notice meaning that many of the 81 Cheshire East Councillors were out of the country and were unable to attend.
The vote, which was carried by just 36 to 32 votes, was met with applause by the business leaders who spoke at the meeting.
But it was also acknowledged by some speakers, that the vote was already “a done deal”, as the new Devolution Bill (which is expected to receive Royal Assent in 2026), will provide powers for Government to override dissenting Councils anyway, in order to impose devolution across the all Local Authorities.
NB: Cheshire West and Cheshire Council has already given its approval to the creation of a combined authority, and Warrington’s cabinet is expected to sign it off next week.
REFERENCE:
To read the associated Council Papers and hear the recording of the meeting please follow the link below:
https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=239&MId=11074&Ver=4
PHOTO 2: The full result of Wednesday's devolution deal vote (Credit: LDRS)
