WARRINGTON’S two Labour MPs and council leader have responded to calls for “serious questions” to be answered over a proposed devolution deal with Cheshire.
Independent Cllr. Neil Johnson claims the town’s MPs Charlotte Nichols and Sarah Hall, have offered no proper scrutiny or challenge over the arrangements because they want to “curry favour” with the Labour leadership.
Cllr. Johnson says he is concerned that the deal has been drawn up and agreed to, far too quickly and that greater analysis is needed before committing Warrington’s future to the Cheshire region.
He said: “It is clear that there are some very serious questions still to be answered regarding the proposed devolution deal with Cheshire. The two Labour MPs for the town have offered no proper scrutiny or challenge over the arrangements. Their efforts to properly determine whether this devolution deal is the best thing for Warrington have been paper-thin. This is evidently because they want to curry favour with the Labour leadership and so refuse to rock the boat.
“In 2016, it was reported that a cross-party task and finish group studied the benefits of Warrington entering into devolution arrangements with Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. They concluded that Merseyside offered the best value for the town, due to the number of people who commute there for work, would unlock the most money and give us more economic benefits. What has changed since then? Where is the evidence that contradicts the Council’s own working group to show that Cheshire would now be a better option?
“How will the Labour Group ensure that Warrington is not overlooked by the two much larger Cheshire councils?
“How will they ensure that Warrington is not dragged back under the control of Cheshire and run from Crewe by people who have no knowledge or interest in our town?
“What arrangements are in place if it is later determined that Cheshire is not the best option for Warrington? Can we exit the devolution deal if it isn’t working for us, or are we locked in for life?
“None of these problems have been properly studied, no answers have been given to the people of Warrington, and there has been no proper consultation.
“In addition, the previous Labour MP Helen Jones strongly opposed a devolution deal with Cheshire. By contrast, both Charlotte Nichols and Sarah Hall seem to be nodding along with whatever Cheshire suggests. Does Charlotte Nichols disagree with her predecessor and, if so, why?
“More information and clarity is needed before this devolution deal goes ahead. It should be paused until a proper consultation is carried out and an independent financial analysis of all the options is presented.”
Council leader Cllr Hans Mundry
In response Warrington Borough Council Leader Cllr. Hans Mundry said: “Cheshire and Warrington seeking a devolution agreement has been several years in the making. We believe that devolution for our area will mean more transport improvements, more jobs, more skills and training, and a region that is better connected. We expect that Cheshire and Warrington would receive around £600 million, over 30 years, in order to deliver on this vision.
“It is the government’s commitment to ensure devolution happens across the country. Securing a devolution agreement now means we would be at the front of the queue, ready to reap the benefits of devolution as soon as possible, with more say and control over the process.
“Importantly though, some devolution benefits will take time. If you look at Greater Manchester Combined Authority for example, which was established more than seven years ago, it is only recently that groundbreaking schemes like the Bee Network have been rolled out. We are therefore voting to secure a devolution as a first step, to take forward longer-term, transformative schemes.
“A devolution agreement for Cheshire and Warrington would fundamentally not mean a merger of the councils, with each council being an equal partner, working alongside an elected Mayor from May 2027.
“I look forward to discussing devolution at length at our Full Council meeting later this month, where all elected members will have the opportunity to discuss and debate devolution in detail.”
Responding to Cllr Johnson’s comments Charlotte Nichols MP said: “I have been part of discussions on the proposed Cheshire and Warrington Devolution programme over a number of years, under two Governments, with MPs, the business community, local Government and our public sector bodies across our region helping to shape the proposals to get the best deal for Warrington – so the idea that as an MP I have not provided scrutiny or challenge as these plans have progressed is the usual ill-informed sniping from behind his keyboard from Cllr Johnson.
“Devolution is fundamentally about bringing resources and decision-making closer to communities, and our public services are tied in with the wider Cheshire area – across health, policing, fire and rescue, and so on. There are also huge opportunities across transport and for our business community, who have been supportive of proposals, to collaborate and drive economic growth under these plans.
“There has been a Government-led public consultation, and numerous opportunities for councillors to engage in this process which Cllr Johnson appears not to have taken up as some of his questions are fairly basic things he should already know (eg: no, we’re not “locked in for life”). He also raises concern about a potential for being “overlooked” by the two larger Cheshire Councils while simultaneously suggesting the alternative is to join a far larger and established city region as the seventh council area which leaves us with far smaller representation within that body, and unable to benefit from spending plans already agreed by that combined authority.
“We will continue to work closely with the Liverpool and Manchester Combined Authorities on growth, including on projects such as the “Northern Arc” rail, but the consensus that emerged from work done over an almost decade-long deliberation process is that the best deal for Warrington is in this programme and delaying as he suggests will mean missing out on significant investment that could instead be being spent locally to deliver real improvements for the residents and communities we represent.”
Sarah Hall MP
Sarah Hall MP responded: “Let’s clear this up. Warrington is not being dragged back under anyone’s control. This devolution deal is about bringing money and decision-making closer to home, not further away.
“For too long, our town has lost out while decisions were made in London. This deal means we’ll have more say over transport, housing, skills, health, and a stronger voice when it comes to shaping strategic investments across our region. That matters for my constituents and for local businesses.
“The suggestion that this deal hasn’t been scrutinised is simply wrong. I’ve held meetings with ministers, pressed for guarantees on Warrington’s share of investment, and made clear in Parliament that our town must not be overlooked.
“But what residents want to know is simple: will this bring in new funding, better infrastructure, and more opportunities for our town? The answer is yes.
“Without a deal, Warrington risks being left behind while other areas move forward. With a deal, we unlock the chance to shape our future on our terms.
“I’ll always fight to make sure Warrington gets its fair share and isn’t overlooked, but that happens by sitting at the table, not by walking away from it.
“This issue matters too much for politics as usual. My focus is on delivery for the people I represent, not trading in scare stories.
“Devolution is a chance to take power back from Westminster and put Warrington on the front foot, I won’t apologise for backing that.”
