Agenda item

To receive a report which provides details on the high-level impacts that the new devolution framework, outlined in the English Devolution White Paper published on 16 December 2024, would have if Cheshire and Warrington councils formally decided to move forward with devolved powers and investment.

The sub-committee received a report which provided details on the high-level impacts that the new devolution framework, outlined in the English Devolution White Paper published on 16 December 2024, would have if Cheshire and Warrington councils formally decided to move forward with devolved powers and investment, from Councillor Hans Mundry.

The sub-committee were updated that Cheshire and Warrington had been invited to join the Devolution Priority Programme to create a Mayoral Strategic Authority by May 2026, which would hold devolved powers related to transport and local infrastructure, skills and employment, support for housing, strategic planning and economic development, regeneration, environment and climate change, health and wellbeing, public service reform and public safety. The funding level for Cheshire and Warrington would be determined following the Government’s Spending Review in June 2025.

It was noted that the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee would not make decisions alone; all decision would be ratified by the three individual authorities independently.

Members were updated that, after 18 months, if effective governance and financial mechanisms had been demonstrated, Mayoral Strategic Authorities could apply for Strategic Authority Status.

It was request that options for Ex-Officio and Observer Membership of the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee be considered and Members were informed that the Joint Committee were awaiting national guidance on this matter.

Amendments to recommendations 2 and 4 were proposed by Councillor Gittins and Seconded by Councillor Louise Shore:

2. Agree in principle that the named members of the Joint Committee detailed in this report will oversee the work with officers to develop priority themes for Cheshire and Warrington, before bringing all detail back to the Committee for strategic leadership and oversight, and delegate authority to the Chair, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, to agree the involvement of any other officer and Members, and updates back such involvement being reported back to this committee to be noted.

4. Involve and collaborate in principal with those Members and officers identified in Table 1 (relevant Cabinet Members and Council Committee Members), Business Advisory Board members as well as the Leaders Board to co-produce the thematic content in the context of the Devolution White Paper and ensure alignment with local priorities and delegate authority to the Chair to involve other Members and officers in line with the authority set out in recommendation 2.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee:

1. Note the content of this report.

2. Agree in principle that the named members of the Joint Committee detailed in this report will oversee the work with officers to develop priority themes for Cheshire and Warrington, before bringing all detail back to the Committee for strategic leadership and oversight, and delegate authority to the Chair, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, to agree the involvement of any other officer and Members, and updates back such involvement being reported back to this committee to be noted.

3. Engage with officers via these theme areas over the coming weeks to shape and develop thematic content outlined in this report, aligned to the Devolution White Paper and which are likely to form a future Devolution Agreement.

4. Involve and collaborate in principal with those Members and officers identified in Table 1 (relevant Cabinet Members and Council Committee Members), Business Advisory Board members as well as the Leaders Board to co-produce the thematic content in the context of the Devolution White Paper and ensure alignment with local priorities and delegate authority to the Chair to involve other Members and officers in line with the authority set out in recommendation 2.

5. Ensure Joint Committee Members to continue to work with their own council’s cross party member working groups and reference groups to shape and develop the areas of thematic content in the context of the Devolution White Paper.

6. Further shape subregional priorities with a series of all-Member sessions across the three Councils in Spring/Summer 2025.

7. Engage directly with stakeholders and communities through consultation events held across programme delivery.