The Cheshire and Warrington region has today (Wednesday 5 February) been confirmed as part of the Government's devolution priority programme.

This means that the region's plans to hold mayoral elections in May 2026 have been accepted by government.  

The news has been welcomed by the leaders of the region's three councils: Leader and Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Nick Mannion and Cllr Michael Gorman, Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council; Cllr Hans Mundry, Leader of Warrington Borough Council, Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council and Cllr Hans Mundry, leader of Warrington Borough Council who said: "Today's announcement is good news for our residents, communities and businesses.

"Cheshire and Warrington being part of the priority programme shows that government is confident in Cheshire and Warrington's ability to seize the opportunities that a devolution agreement could bring.

"It puts us at the front of the queue for significant power and funding and we want to seize this opportunity.

Confirming Cheshire and Warrington's inclusion among the devolution priority areas, Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government told Parliament: "Today, I am delighted to announce on six new potential evolution areas which will be part of our devolution priority program with a view to mayoral elections in May 2026.

"These places will get a fast track ticket to drive real change in their area, while the devolution can sound check it, the outcome is simple. It's a plan for putting more money in people's pockets.

"It's a plan for quicker, better, cheaper transport designed with local people in mind, a plan for putting politics back in the service of working people.

"So today, Mr. Speaker, I do confirm to the members across the house that the places on the devolution priority program are Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, greater Essex, Hampshire and Solon, Norfolk and Suffolk and Sussex and Brighton. A seventh area of which somewhat familiar to both of us, Lancashire is already deciding its merit on the devolution options, and we will look at their proposals in the autumn."

The Cheshire and Warrington region comprises Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester and Warrington councils, working alongside Enterprise Cheshire & Warrington. 

More information on Cheshire's devolution journey can be found HERE.