MIKE Amesbury has used a debate on the Northern Powerhouse to call for progress on devolution for Cheshire.

The Weaver Vale MP is a longstanding advocate of introducing an elected mayor for Cheshire, which he says would give the county more of a say on issues ranging from transport infrastructure to social and business programmes.

Only part of Mike’s constituency, in Runcorn, is currently under a Metro Mayor – Steve Rotherham for Liverpool.

Conversations with a range of figures including the Local Enterprise Partnership have revealed the county is falling behind when it comes to the ‘soft power’ a mayor is able to bring to bear on government and industry.

During a Commons debate, Mike – who worked on Andy Burnham’s campaign for Metro Mayor of Greater Manchester before becoming an MP – said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire East Council, Warrington Borough Council, the LEP and other stakeholders are determined in their quest to secure a devolution deal, yet increasingly frustrated. Will the Minister update the House on the timetable for the deal?”

Responding, Jake Berry, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, replied: “All the councils he mentions and the LEP have brought out what they refer to as the prospectus for growth, which is looking at how they can deliver real economic benefits for the people who live in Warrington and elsewhere in Cheshire.

“The Government remain open to ground-up locally supported devolution deals. I encourage [Mike], council leaders and the LEP to continue the discussions they have been having with me and my officials.”