Agenda item

To consider the recommendations of the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee.

Consideration was given to the report on the creation of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority.

As part of the formal consenting process to proceed with a Combined Authority and associated devolution powers, functions and investment, approval was required from each of the Councils - Cheshire East Borough Council, Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council and Warrington Borough Council.

The Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee, at its meeting on 29 August 2025, had endorsed the proposed recommendations for approval by each of the Councils in accordance with their own constitutional requirements.

The recommendations were proposed and seconded and following debate a recorded vote was requested with the following results: -

FOR

Councillors L Anderson, S Bennett-Wake, L Braithwaite, J Bratherton, M Brooks, D Brown, L Buchanan, C Bulman, A Burton, C Chapman, D Clark, A Coiley, N Cook, S Corcoran, L Crane, B Drake, D Edwardes, K Edwards, H Faddes, M Goldsmith,  M Gorman, D Jefferay, R Kain, N Mannion, G Marhsall, J Place, B Posnett, J Priest, B Puddicombe, J Rhodes, H Seddon, G Smith, J Snowball, M Warren, F Wilson and B Wye.

AGAINST

Councillors M Beanland, C Browne, K Burton, R Chadwick, J Clowes, P Coan, T Dean, S Edgar, A Farrall, R Fletcher, A Gage, S Gardiner, E Hall, A Harrison, G Hayes, A Heler, S Holland, A Kolker, R Moreton, R Morris, H Moss, C O’Leary, J Pearson, P Redstone, J Saunders, M Sewart, M Simon, L Smetham, Julie Smith, John Smith, H Whitaker and J Wray.

NOT VOTING

None

The motion was declared carried with 36 votes for, 32 against and 0 not voting.

RESOLVED:  That Council

1               approve in principle the establishment of a Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority in accordance with existing legislation under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (as amended).

2               delegate authority to the Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service), or their authorised deputy, to consent to the making of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Order 2026 in accordance with s.110(1)(b) Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

3               Agree to hold inaugural mayoral elections in May 2027.

4               Subject to approval of the above recommendations, to create a new joint committee, to be known as the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board, to provide strategic direction and interim arrangements in the best interests of the establishment of a Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority.

5               Approve the Terms of Reference for the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board, as outlined in Appendix B to the report, and delegate authority to the Constituent Members of the Shadow Board to carry out the roles and functions as set out in the Terms of Reference.

6               Note that the Constituent Members for the Shadow Board will be the Leaders and Deputy Leaders of each constituent council, as set out in the proposed Terms of Reference.

7               Amend the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee Terms of Reference, as outlined in Appendix C to the report, to reflect the revised function of the Joint Committee following establishment of the Combined Authority Shadow Board.

8               Appoint new membership to the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee in accordance with the Joint Committee Terms of Reference.

9               Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, to take all other steps necessary to establish and implement the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority.