A radical £600 million shake-up in local government in Cheshire has moved a step closer after council chiefs gave their backing for devolution.

Cheshire West and Chester's ruling cabinet approved the creation of a new Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority (CA) when they met earlier today (10 September) - with one borough chief hailing it a 'game changer'.

Once established, the CA would be separate from Cheshire West, Cheshire East and Warrington Borough councils – which would all retain their independence, finances, councillors and debts. 

The CA would have an elected mayor, due to be voted for by the public in May 2027, along with additional government funding of £20 million a year over the next three decades.

The mayor would have influence over things like strategic transport decisions, skills, economic development and housing. 

They would also become the 'face' of the region when talking to government and business, both on the national and international stage.

At a meeting earlier today, council leader Louise Gittins told the cabinet they were "making history" and that the journey to devolution had been ongoing since before 2015.

She gave credit to former Cheshire West and Chester council leader Mike Jones for 'sowing the seeds', with subsequent leaders continuing to push the devolution agenda.

She told today's meeting: "This is bigger than all of us.

"The next stage will be for Government to lay down the statutory instruments, that will be the document that will enshrine our devolution in legislation.

"That will happen in October, so any delay to this decision could mean that those statutory instruments aren't going to be laid down and Government will say 'well actually, if you can't sort yourselves out we'll take you off the list'.

"That's why today's decision is so important for all of us."

The cabinet meeting followed last night's meeting of full council which descended into chaos after the Conservative group leader led a mass walkout in protest at the meeting taking place during a pre-election period, with a by-election due to take place next month to select the new councillor for Ellesmere Port's Strawberry ward.

There is broad approval for devolution on all sides of the political spectrum on the council, but some critics claim devolution generally provides an additional layer of unneeded bureaucracy and costs.

Cllr Karen Shore told today's meeting: "When investors come to the North West of England, they talk to the mayor of Greater Manchester and the mayor of Liverpool, and they think they've done the North West because we don't have that representation.

"And that's why a mayor matters. And now this is going to ensure that we also get that recognition in the region that we've long deserved."

She added: "This will also give us a seat at the national table in the council of nations and regions. So we'll never be left out of any conversations ever again.

"There will always be an opportunity for a representative of Cheshire and Warrington to make sure that our voice is heard. This is going to be a game-changer regardless of who controls the council, because we will have to put place and people before politics."

Warrington and Cheshire East councils will hold their own meetings next week and only if both approve will the next stage toward devolution move forward.

If not, Cllr Gittins warned Cheshire and Warrington's devolution dream would go to 'the bottom or the pile' as the government presses ahead with devolution in other areas instead.