VIDEO: Interview with Warrington Borough Council’s Labour leader Cllr Terry O’Neill who believes a devolution deal will still be available for the town in the future.
Cllr O’Neill was responding to criticism from Warrington South MP David Mowat who said the Labour group had to be “accountable” for rejecting a devolution deal to have an elected Mayor with Cheshire and Chester.
But Cllr O’Neill said the offer was “too soon” after all out elections and the referendum and there was not enough time for the process in time for next year.
As a result the Labour group had decided to put it on hold but he was confident there would be another deal on offer in the future.
He added that Mr Mowat would have to be accountable for the promise of free tolls for Warrington residents on the forthcoming toll bridge.
Meanwhile Cllr O’Neill fears the Brexit decision will have further austerity implications in the Autumn statement, with the borough council facing possible further cut backs.
