Election delay agreed as devolution moves forward

7 hours ago

Kaleigh Watterson

BBC Cheshire political reporter•kaleighnews

A new combined authority is set to cover the three council areas

BBC/Getty Images The Eastgate Clock in Chester, the golden gates of Warrington and Jodrell Bank in Cheshire East — A new combined authority is set to cover the three council areas

Cheshire will now elect its first mayor in 2027, after the government accepted a request from the county.

Leaders in Cheshire and Warrington had asked for their first mayoral vote to be delayed by a year from the initially proposed date of May 2026.

The government hasconfirmed Cheshire and Warrington, along with five other areas, will move forward with devolution and it had "agreed to align" elections with most of the county's local elections in 2027.

Leaders in the area previously said the delay would allow Cheshire "more time to put in place the right foundations".

Cheshire's leaders said they also thought more people would take part if they delayed proceedings

Left to right: Hans Mundry (leader, Warrington Borough Council), Louise Gittins (leader, Cheshire West and Chester Council), Nick Mannion (leader, Cheshire East Council) and Michael Gorman (deputy leader, Cheshire East Council) — Cheshire's leaders said they also thought more people would take part if they delayed proceedings

The leaders of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington Councils called for the delay earlier this week.

They said it would also "reduce costs" by having the election in May 2027 instead of May 2026.

Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester councils both have full council elections in 2027, with Warrington holding their next full election the following year.

The government said it would now work with the six areas on the Devolution Priority Programme to confirm their funding plans.

"These sweeping new powers for communities will put them on the fast track to deliver growth, opportunities, transport and housing," said Jim McMahon, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution.

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