Cheshire and Warrington Councils request to government that Mayoral election takes place in May 2027

Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Warrington Borough Council have requested that the area’s potential Mayoral election, planned for May 2026, is deferred by a year.

The three partner councils have written to the Government to request that the election is now held in May 2027, a year later than planned, and in line with local elections taking place across Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester.

Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Leader and Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Nick Mannion and Cllr Michael Gorman, and Cllr Hans Mundry, Leader of Warrington Borough Council, said:

“Moving the election would give us more time to put in place the right foundations and approach to move forward with a devolution agreement with an elected Mayor.

“We are committed to making devolution happen for Cheshire and Warrington and, from initial conversations we’ve had with our communities and stakeholders, people are generally supportive of our plans and the benefits devolution will bring to our area.

“A devolution agreement for Cheshire and Warrington would mean additional powers and funding being drawn down from government – bringing more jobs, better transport and smarter investment to the area.  It means more decisions about the things that really matter to people are made closer to home by people who know the area best, and significant long-term funding that is in local control.

“While we have always maintained that we want to release the potential benefits of devolution as early as possible, we have heard what people have said and recognise that by holding the Mayoral election in May 2027 – at the same time as a number of local elections taking place across the area – we can reduce costs and potentially increase the number of people who will turn out to vote and have their voice heard.

“Establishing a Mayoral Combined Authority is subject to the outcome of the government’s statutory tests. It is also subject to formal decisions across the three councils, which are expected in September 2025.

“We will continue our work in the meantime to progress establishing a Mayoral Combined Authority for Cheshire and Warrington in early 2026, subject to the councils’ approval. This would still give our area more funding and more powers and be a positive step on our journey to electing a Mayor in May 2027.”

This follows the announcement in February this year that Cheshire and Warrington was included in the government’s Devolution Priority Programme (DPP), alongside five other areas across the country, following the three councils expressing their interest to government.

The DPP is fast-track programme as part of the government’s intention to extend devolution across England, giving regions more powers and funding in areas such as transport and infrastructure, planning and housing, economic development, and skills and employment support. 

Further information about devolution for Cheshire and Warrington can be viewed at: 

cheshireandwarringtondevolution.com

Pictured - Leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Nick Mannion.