Latest news with #CheshireWestandChester
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Cheshire and Warrington: Early 2026 for new combined authority
A combined authority for Cheshire and Warrington is set to be created early next year, ahead of the area's first mayoral elections in the from Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Warrington councils were told the new authority will be created in the first two months of were also told more detail would be revealed next month about what powers will be devolved in a report setting out guidance received from the new combined authority is set to be in place for its first mayoral election on 7 May 2026. The update was given at a meeting of a joint committee of councillors and public servants from each of the three local authorities in the county of the new authority, each council would remain separate local authorities but would work together on areas including transport, skills, housing, the environment and creation was given the green light after the county was included in the government's devolution priority programme (DPP) in February. 'Significant' Funding to set up devolution in the area would mostly come from a government grant of £1m, the meeting committee is also waiting for a government response to a formal consultation on the creation of the new authority, which closed last East Council leader Nick Mannion said the government was expected to make a further announcement next month "as to whether Cheshire and Warrington have met the government's statutory tests to move forward for devolution"."This will be a trigger for a significant amount of detail to flow to us from the government in Whitehall," he told the committee.A total of £1m in funding would be provided through a mayoral capacity grant, which would be confirmed after government approval is granted.A further £250,000 has been made available from Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington, made up of business rates retained by the economic development organisation, and the Local Government Association has also provided a £25,000 grant to support devolution cost of running a mayoral election would be reimbursed by the future combined authority, it has been Price, the police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, told the meeting he welcomed the government funding."I know a lot of members of the public out there are nervous about council finances and what the cost is, but the department has funded this, alongside that grant from the Local Government Association."Ultimately, that's a form of endorsement that we're doing something the government is keen for us to pursue and they're putting their hand in their pocket to help make it happen." Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Mid-Cheshire: New plan for towns with 'proud identities'
A plan to "raise the prominence" of part of Cheshire is aiming to bring in more business investment, improve transport links and encourage more visitors.A plan for Mid-Cheshire, which includes the three towns of Middlewich, Northwich and Winsford and the surrounding rural area, is set to be signed off by Cheshire West and Chester will also include the creation of a new board to oversee the plan, which will be named the Mid-Cheshire plans will be discussed at a council meeting on Wednesday. The area covered crosses two councils because Middlewich is in Cheshire East. The report to councillors said that the town had been included to reflect a "shared industrial heritage".It also said the area "does not have a rigid 'red-line' boundary but sits at the heart of the Cheshire countryside" in the eyes of the public. Around 110,000 people live in the plan features five areas, including business investment, skills, neighbourhoods and also says some services such as street cleaning, sports ground maintenance and creative and cultural activities could be transferred to town councils or community organisations in the longer term. More lobbying for funding for local transport improvements and rail infrastructure would be at the heart of the the proposals, the new Mid-Cheshire Partnership would have between 12 and 16 members, and would be expected to include representatives from the two councils, NHS, transport providers, the voluntary sectors and local businesses, and the area's West and Chester Council's cabinet has been recommended to approve the plans. Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
