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

The call comes after the Labour leaders of Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester and Warrington councils, together with the Independent deputy leader of Cheshire East, wrote to the government asking to be included in the priority programme for devolution.

This could see a devolution agreement with an elected mayor by 2026, although all three councils have said they would seek the views of residents and any decision would be made by each individual council.

Conservative leader for Cheshire East, Cllr Janet Clowes (CEC).

The Conservative group leaders on Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Chester councils say 2026 is too soon – and they have written to the government expressing their concerns.

A statement sent to the Local Democracy Reporting Service by Cheshire East Conservative group leader Cllr Janet Clowes and CWAC Conservative group leader Cllr Adrian Waddelove said while the council leaders had submitted a request to government 'waxing lyrical about the significant powers and funding that devolution may bring' there is much work to be done.

"Elected members only received their first formal briefing on these proposals last week and were not included in the discussions that preceded them," said the Conservative group leaders.

And they questioned whether Cheshire's councils could deliver an effective devolution programme by 2026 because of their financial problems.

They highlighted that Cheshire East had applied to the government for exceptional financial support to balance this year's budget and Warrington Council is still subject to a 'best value inspection" that runs until the end of January.

Conservative leader for Cheshire West & Chester, Cllr Adrian Waddelove (CWAC).

"We have therefore submitted a separate letter to MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) confirming our support in principle, but also our deep concerns our councils have neither the operational capacity nor the financial sustainability to deliver an effective devolution programme in time for mayoral elections in 2026," said the Conservative leaders.

"We've asked that MHCLG consider Cheshire and Warrington as a realistic geography for a devolved combined authority with an elected mayor but offer an additional 12 months to hold mayoral elections in 2027.

"This offers a more realistic time-scale to develop our devolved economic strategies, whilst ensuring we build essential capacity at strategic, sub-regional and local authority levels to get the job done well and most importantly, to get back on track for financial sustainability."

The Labour council leaders was it was important to be around the table for talks at the beginning.

"Being part of the government's priority programme would put us at the front of the queue for the potential benefits of devolution – and reaffirms that we are working together to get the best outcomes for our region," they said, in a statement issued last week.

Devolution is about national government transferring powers and resources away from London and into regions like Cheshire East (Ryan Parker).

"Devolution is about national government transferring powers and resources away from London and into regions.

"It's not about merging councils. Individual councils would retain their current responsibilities and continue to provide services for local people."

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