A ‘POSITIVE’ meeting has taken place over devolution for Cheshire and Warrington between a minister and representatives in the area.

A joint statement has been issued by Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington on behalf of leaders of the region’s three councils – Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Hans Mundry, leader of Warrington Borough Council, and the leader and deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Nick Mannion and Cllr Michael Gorman.

In the statement, it says yesterday, Tuesday, a ‘positive’ meeting took place with the minister for local government and English devolution, Jim McMahon.

It adds: “The purpose of the meeting with the minister, attended by representatives from Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington councils, alongside Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington, was to open discussions about a devolution agreement for the Cheshire and Warrington region.

“A successful devolution agreement would allow us to make more decisions in Cheshire and Warrington, rather than decisions about our region and its almost one million residents being made in London.

“Cheshire and Warrington has a strong track record of partnership working over many years with shared ambitions across a number of priority areas including: driving sustainable economic growth and jobs (promoting our crucial life sciences, manufacturing and agricultural sectors); constructing the right houses in the right places; building an integrated transport system that works for residents and businesses; reducing health inequalities; working with employers to deliver skills and training; achieving industrial decarbonisation and promoting workable solutions to the energy crisis.

“Our three councils have been working successfully together for many years with a shared vision to be the healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive and growing economy in the UK. The right devolution agreement could allow us to build on this great work.

“Devolution is about national Government transferring powers and resources to local government. It is not about merging councils. Individual councils would retain their current responsibilities and continue to deliver services for local people.

“The meeting with the minister was very positive, and it is clear that the Government wants to consider what a co-produced devolution agreement could look like for Cheshire & Warrington.

“We will now begin these discussions in more detail, with the aim of moving towards an accelerated agreement with Government.

“Any potential devolution agreement would need to be right for our region and its residents and businesses, and informed by the views of our residents, businesses and communities.”