A new mayor could be elected for Cheshire and Warrington next year, after the region was included in a referendum government initiative to hand more power to local governments.

The Cheshire and Warrington region has been confirmed as part of the Government's devolution priority programme.

This means that the region's plans to hold mayoral elections in May 2026 have been accepted by government.

Cheshire has been included in the government's devolution priority programme (DPP), which local leaders previously said would bring 'significant power and funding' to the county.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said Cheshire would be one of six areas joining the DPP.

The news has been welcomed by the leaders of the region's three councils: Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council; Cllr Hans Mundry, Leader of Warrington Borough Council; and the Leader and Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Nick Mannion and Cllr Michael Gorman.

They said: "Today's announcement is good news for our residents, communities and businesses. "Cheshire and Warrington being part of the priority programme shows that government is confident in Cheshire and Warrington's ability to seize the opportunities that a devolution agreement could bring.

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"It puts us at the front of the queue for significant power and funding and we want to seize this opportunity.

"Devolution would allow us to make more decisions here in Cheshire and Warrington, rather than decisions about our region and its almost 1 million residents being made in London.

Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister, told Parliament: "Today, I am delighted to announce on six new potential evolution areas which will be part of our devolution priority program with a view to mayoral elections in May 2026.

"These places will get a fast track ticket to drive real change in their area, while the devolution can sound check it, the outcome is simple.

"It's a plan for putting more money in people's pockets."