A DEAL between Cheshire West, Cheshire East and Warrington borough councils would be at the ‘top of the list’ if central Government prioritises devolution, it has emerged.

Warrington Borough Council’s (WBC) Labour group voted for the town to team up with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council in a deal – instead of the Liverpool City Region – more than two years ago.

However, the authorities have grown increasingly frustrated over a lack of progress from figures in Westminster.

But Andy Farrall, WBC’s executive director for economic regeneration, growth and environment, believes devolution for the area is not off the table despite the Government being ‘fixated’ with Brexit.

“The Government, because of Brexit and all sorts of things, is quite fragmented at the moment, so it is hard work,” he said.

“We keep hearing that, if they get round to devolution again, if it turns as a priority, that Cheshire and Warrington are on the top of the list.”

If a deal is thrashed out, the three authorities could benefit from £30 million funding for at least five years, with funding thereafter due to be granted through public sector partners.

It would also have the potential to secure at least £30 million each year for 24 years.

And Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham has previously said he believes a Cheshire and Warrington deal has the potential to unlock up to £700 million in extra funding over three decades.

But Mr Farrall insists the failure to thrash out a deal, so far, is not having an impact on Warrington’s growth ambitions.

He added: “We are kind of achieving a lot, for example, we have got the Western Link road approved.

“We are working on all of the other infrastructure projects and we are working very, very closely on a day to day basis with Homes England, the Department for Transport and Transport for the North.

“But what it does mean is that we, through devolution, wanted more control on these sorts of things, so we didn’t have to go to Government every kind of five minutes wanting to bid for this road, or bid for that bit of housing support, that you could do it all yourself.

“We would have a pot of money to do it in Cheshire and Warrington.

“I don’t think it is stopping us doing things in the way which it could have.”