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Devolution will 'turbocharge' county – minister

Kaleigh Watterson
BBC Cheshire political reporter•kaleighnews
Warrington Council left to right: Jean Flaherty (deputy leader, Warrington Council), Karen Shore (deputy leader, Cheshire West and Chester Council), Hans Mundry (leader, Warrington Council), Jim McMahon, Nick Mannion (leader, Cheshire East Council), Louise Gittins (leader, Cheshire West and Chester Council), and Michael Gorman (deputy leader, Cheshire East Council)Warrington Council
Leaders met the local government and devolution minister in Cheshire

Devolution will provide a "huge opportunity" for Cheshire and Warrington and "turbocharge" local growth, a minister has said on a visit to the area.

Cheshire and Warrington is one of six areas chosen for a fast-track deal by joining the government's devolution priority programme.

Minister for English Devolution, Jim McMahon, met leaders of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington councils, as well as apprentices at one of the area's colleges.

Cheshire and Warrington is set to elect its first mayor in May 2026.

BBC/Getty Images The Eastgate Clock in Chester, the golden gates of Warrington and Jodrell Bank in Cheshire EastBBC/Getty Images
A new combined authority is set to cover the three council areas

On a visit to Cheshire College South and West's Ellesmere Port campus, Mr McMahon said devolution would help "turbocharge" work already under way.

"There's a huge opportunity here to take on powers over key areas like skills and planning that will help drive local growth and job creation," he said.

Leaders of the three authorities previously said devolution was a "once in a generation" opportunity for the area.

"Devolution for Cheshire & Warrington means more decisions made locally, by the people who know our area best—not centrally driven from Westminster," they said.

"It means local leaders will make the important decisions about our area that matter most to our residents, communities and businesses."

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