Tory leaders call for Cheshire devolution delay

The Conservative opposition group leaders on two Cheshire councils have written to the government calling for devolution proposals for the county to be delayed for a year.

The region's three councils have asked the government for a devolution deal which would include an elected mayor.

The leaders on Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester and Warrington, want to elect the first mayor in May 2026.

But the Tories have said this is too soon and have written to the government to voice their concerns, amid fears the plans would not be sustainable at this stage.

A statement by Cheshire East Conservative group leader Janet Clowes and Cheshire West leader Adrian Waddelove said they supported the idea "in principle".

However, they said they have "deep concerns that our councils have neither the operational capacity nor the financial sustainability to deliver an effective devolution programme in time for mayoral elections in 2026".

They added that a 12-month delay "offers a more realistic time-scale" to "get the job done well and most importantly, to get back on track for financial sustainability".

Labour leaders have said it was important to be around the table for talks with the government.

They said in a statement that "being part of the government's priority programme would put us at the front of the queue for the potential benefits of devolution".

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