County's mayoral election one-year delay welcomed

Political leaders across Cheshire have welcomed ministers' decision to push the county's first mayoral election back by 12 months.

The government has confirmed that Cheshire and Warrington's inaugural elected figurehead will now be chosen on the same day in May 2027 as some local elections in the county.

Leaders of the county's three councils - Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington - said the decision would provide "greater clarity" and save money.

Opposition groups have also welcomed the move, with one Conservative councillor saying it would allow time to set up a "working and fully functioning combined authority".

The three council leaders said the government's decision "gives us greater clarity on our plan to establish a Mayoral Combined Authority in 2026".

They also said a May 2027 mayoral election would "save money and could also result in more people voting and having their say".

Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester are both scheduled to hold their next full council elections in May 2027.

Warrington Borough Council's would be the following year.

Opposition Conservatives in both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester had previously called for a delay in the mayoral election.

Stewart Gardiner, the leader of the Tory group on Cheshire East Council, said: "Each borough-wide election costs around £1m to run, and having separate elections in 2026 and 2027 makes no financial sense.

"Additionally it would allow time to set up a working and fully functioning combined authority, rather than simply rushing to fit some arbitrary timetable set by the Labour government."

Adrian Waddelove, who chairs the Conservative group on Cheshire West and Chester Council, said he was "delighted".

"It's a shame that it has taken so long for the Labour leadership to realise the benefits of a one-year delay when greater clarity to residents and businesses could have been provided sooner," he said.

The Liberal Democrats opposition group on Warrington Council has been approached for comment.

The leaders of Cheshire's three councils also welcomed the confirmation from the government that the county could continue with its devolution plans and had published the results of a recent consultation.

"We can now work with certainty to unlock the huge benefits and opportunities of devolution," they said.

"As we continue, it's important we take on board and respond to the feedback received through the government consultation."

The three councils are expected to make formal decisions on the devolution proposals in September.

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