Conservative Councillors Propose “Cheshire” as Sole Name for Devolution Agreement

A group of Conservative councillors has put forward a proposal that any devolution agreement for Cheshire should exclusively feature the county’s name. The expectation is that a new combined authority would be designated Cheshire and Warrington, acknowledging the three councils—Cheshire East, Warrington, and Cheshire West and Chester—that currently serve the county’s residents. However, Conservative members of Cheshire West and Chester Council have submitted a motion advocating for the new combined authority to be simply named “Cheshire,” stating that this would provide the public with a “clearer understanding.” This motion is scheduled for discussion at a full council meeting on Thursday. The three existing councils initiated discussions with the government in September regarding the establishment of a devolution deal. The local authorities issued a joint statement, reporting a “very positive” meeting with Jim McMahon, the Local Government and English Devolution Minister. The motion, introduced by Lynn Gibbon, former leader of the Conservative group on Cheshire West and Chester Council, argued that the name “Cheshire” would “give distinction” from the urban combined authorities of the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester. Furthermore, it asserted that a “Cheshire” devolution agreement would signify that the combined authority’s operations are distinct from those of the three individual councils. Regardless of any devolution deal, all current councils would remain in operation. Separately, Karen Shore, the council’s deputy leader and a Labour member, has also submitted a motion concerning devolution. This motion requests the council to endorse the decision to engage in negotiations with the government regarding a devolution deal. It further asks the council to commit that “any potential devolution agreement would need to be right for our sub-region, and be informed by the views of our residents, businesses and communities”.