Inaugural meeting of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board

The first formal meeting of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board took place on Friday 31st October, following the area’s constituent councils’ approval to move forward with devolution.

The newly established  board has decision-making powers delegated from the three constituent councils – Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Warrington Borough Council – to work together to create the new Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority. The Combined Authority will provide the strategic direction for devolution across Cheshire and Warrington.

Shadow Board critical to establishing the foundation for devolution delivery

Cheshire and Warrington’s Shadow Board will oversee the development and creation of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority. The board will put in place the right foundations to enable the Combined Authority to deliver devolution effectively across Cheshire and Warrington.

Following the first meeting, newly-appointed Chair of the Shadow Board, Cllr Louise Gittins, said:

“Devolution offers us the opportunity to shape our future with more local say on the things that matter most to our residents and communities, taking more funding and decision-making away from central government, and into our area.

“As a Shadow Board, we will work together to support the establishment of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority – and, importantly, our board meetings and decisions are public, so that our communities can see the progress we are making in setting the foundations for the Combined Authority.

“We’re proud to have reached this important milestone together. We are looking forward to the important decisions we will be able to make locally, based on the needs and ambitions of people who live and work here – whether that's improving transport, delivering more affordable homes, growing our local economy, or investing in the skills our residents need.

“Importantly, the Combined Authority is a completely different model to the old Cheshire County Council. It doesn’t involve any other authority taking on any debts or liabilities from another council.

“Instead, the new Combined Authority will unlock more than £650million in funding over the next 30 years, which is the beginning of an exciting new chapter, one built on collaboration and a commitment to supporting our communities and businesses to thrive.

“Cheshire and Warrington provides the perfect blend of beauty and industry – and through the funding provided to our area through devolution, we will be able to unleash the its potential.”

During the meeting, the Shadow Board also set out its membership and terms of reference, as recommended by the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee, heard a budget update, and set out its forward plan. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Friday 28 November 2025.

For more information about the Cheshire and Warrington devolution programme, visit: 

cheshireandwarringtondevolution.com.

Pictured - (L-R) Members of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board, Cllr Nick Mannion (Leader of Cheshire East Council), Cllr Hans Mundry (Leader of Warrington Borough Council), Cllr Karen Shore (Deputy Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council), Cllr Jean Flaherty (Deputy Leader of Warrington Borough Council), Cllr Louise Gittins (Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chair of the Shadow Board), Andrea Stott (Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board), Dan Price (Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire), Cllr Michael Gorman (Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council).