Amazement Cheshire West has any interest in devolution deal with two 'financial basket cases'

A Cheshire East Councillor has expressed his amazement that Cheshire West and Chester Council wants anything to do Cheshire East and Warrington councils in a devolution deal involving two 'financial basket cases'.

Councillor Sewart (Poynton West and Adlington Conservative) was speaking at a meeting of the full council during a discussion regarding amendments to the terms of reference for the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee.

Councillors were being asked to approve the following amendments:

• include oversight and strategic direction for potential devolution to Cheshire and Warrington;
• include the ability to approve expenditure regarding subregional government and other funding.

Councillor Gorman (Wilmslow West and Chorley Independent Deputy Leader of the Council) began the discussion by stating "This is not a debate about devolution this simply gives us the authority to begin the negotiations on sub-regional working. We don't know the content of the white paper yet, the publication is imminent, but we do need to be in the room and round the table to represent Cheshire East's interests."

However, a debate about devolution did proceed with Cllr Moran (Nantwich North and West Independent) saying "We have said this is not a debate about devolution but I am going to make some of the points on devolution as I think it is one of the first opportunities at full council to actually debate this."

He added "I have always been against this form of devolution and working with Cheshire West and Warrington and the prospects of an elected major horrify me."

"I believe it will relegate this council to the second tier, that's what it will do, and the proposed governance of the actual joint Cheshire West, Warrington and ourselves leaves a lot to be desired. It leaves these councillors at Cheshire East again in a relegated position.

"In conclusion it's also important that any proposals on devolution are consulted properly with the residents of Cheshire East and when I say properly, not like some of the consultations we've that had over various things in recent months, properly - in other words let's hear what the people of Cheshire East have got to say on where they want this council to go in the future."

Councillor Sewart (Poynton West and Adlington Conservative) said "I am amazed, truly amazed that Cheshire West and Chester Council have any interest in this devolution proposal whatsoever."

He added "Cheshire East is a financial basket case, cutting all sorts of services and in danger of a 114. Because Warrington decided to invest in its own failed electricity distribution company it's also a financial basket case. Why in heavens name Cheshire West and Chester Council want anything to do with these other two in a devo trio is a mystery to me."

The chair Councillor Houston then interrupted the debate stressing members needed to stick to the agenda item relating to amending the terms of reference of the joint committee and not stray into a general debate on devolution.

Councillor Craig Browne (Alderley Edge Independent) said "With regret I cannot support the recommendations for the primary reason that we are yet to establish whether the communities we purport to serve actually want this and more importantly there don't appear to be any plans for us to do so in future.

"I accept there is an argument we should a negotiate a deal before first putting it to the public but this argument is undermined by the fact we appear to have already consulted the business community as this report makes clear. This might give the appearance of consulting those who we believe can be replied upon to give the right answer.

"If we believe devolution is the right answer we must take the public with us on this journey."

Cllr Manion summed up by saying "It seems we have had a dress rehearsal for some of the debates we're going to hear in 2025 around the whole devolution issue but that's not the issue on this item on today's agenda. It's about setting the framework to go into any conversations about devolution."

He added "Any decision about devolution which involves Cheshire East Council will be made here at the full council meeting.

"So there is no devolution by the back door, there is no done deal."

He continued "Devolution does not involve the removal, the reduction of or compromise of any powers currently held by this local authority."

The vote was a very close call, with 33 votes in favour and 32 against, plus 4 abstentions.