THREE Cheshire councils have issued statements this evening about a proposed devolution deal.

A joint statement from the leaders of Warrington, Cheshire West and Chester, and Cheshire East councils said: "“Following political discussions in Warrington a potential consultation with the public and businesses on a proposed devolution deal for Cheshire and Warrington has been put on hold.

“We remain strongly committed to collaborative working on a number of key initiatives and we will continue to explore how best to secure more power and resources for our area.”

In addition, Councillor Samantha Dixon, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “There is no doubt it is disappointing that we haven’t been able to move forward to a consultation on a possible devolution deal at the moment. Regardless, I remain committed to getting the best possible deal for residents and will do everything I can to deliver that.

“We believe that the proposed devolution deal would benefit every resident in Cheshire and Warrington. It would double the size of our economy to £50 billion a year by 2040, secure over 100,000 new jobs, unlock development sites to build much needed new homes, improve transport links and deliver super-fast internet speeds for residents and businesses. "Decisions on education and skills would also be devolved, which would secure a skilled workforce that meets the needs of local businesses and gives all residents the opportunity to achieve their potential. “Whilst the benefits of devolution are extremely favourable for our residents, the Government’s insistence on an elected Mayor has made it difficult for all politicians to come to an agreement. The majority of councillors in Cheshire West and Chester were likely to support a consultation to seek the views of residents.

“If Government is serious about delivering its Northern Powerhouse, now is the time to give up powers to sub-regions and local areas to make their own decisions and I would urge all of our parliamentarians to support this.

“I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of our residents and communities to secure the best possible deal over the coming months.

“We remain committed to working collaboratively with our neighbours in Cheshire and Warrington on a number of important initiatives to improve the lives of local people.

“We will continue to work closely with neighbours in North Wales to deliver ambitious growth plans and to improve connectivity between our linked economies and geography.”