Early 2026 creation for new combined authority

A combined authority for Cheshire and Warrington is set to be created early next year, ahead of the area's first mayoral elections in the spring.

Councillors from Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Warrington councils were told the new authority will be created in the first two months of 2026.

They were also told more detail would be revealed next month about what powers will be devolved in a report setting out guidance received from the government.

The new combined authority is set to be in place for its first mayoral election on 7 May 2026.

The update was given at a meeting of a t committee of councillors and public servants from each of the three local authorities in the county of Cheshire.

Under the new authority, each council would remain separate local authorities but would work together on areas including transport, skills, housing, the environment and health.

Its creation was given the green light after the county was included in the government's devolution priority programme (DPP) in February.

Funding to set up devolution in the area would mostly come from a government grant of £1m, the meeting heard.

The committee is also waiting for a government response to a formal consultation on the creation of the new authority, which closed last month.

Cheshire East Council leader Nick Mannion said the government was expected to make a further announcement next month "as to whether Cheshire and Warrington have met the government's statutory tests to move forward for devolution".

"This will be a trigger for a significant amount of detail to flow to us from the government in Whitehall," he told the committee.

A total of £1m in funding would be provided through a mayoral capacity grant, which would be confirmed after government approval is granted.

A further £250,000 has been made available from Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington, made up of business rates retained by the economic development organisation, and the Local Government Association has also provided a £25,000 grant to devolution work.

The cost of running a mayoral election would be reimbursed by the future combined authority, it has been confirmed.

Dan Price, the police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, told the meeting he welcomed the government funding.

"I know a lot of of the public out there are nervous about council finances and what the cost is, but the department has funded this, alongside that grant from the Local Government Association.

"Ultimately, that's a form of endorsement that we're doing something the government is keen for us to pursue and they're putting their hand in their pocket to help make it happen."

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