Just call it Cheshire after devolution, say Tories

Any devolution agreement for Cheshire should only feature the name of the county, a group of Conservative councillors has proposed.

It is expected that a new combined authority would be named Cheshire and Warrington - referencing the three councils (Cheshire East, Warrington, and Cheshire West and Chester) that currently serve the county's residents.

But Tories on Cheshire West and Chester Council have put forward a motion calling for the new combined authority to just be called "Cheshire", saying it would give people a "clearer understanding".

The motion will be discussed at a full council meeting on Thursday.

The existing three councils began talks in September with the government about reaching a devolution deal.

In a joint statement, the local authorities said they had held a "very positive" meeting with Local Government and English Devolution Minister Jim McMahon.

The motion, put forward by former Cheshire West and Chester Conservative group leader Lynn Gibbon, said the name "Cheshire" would "give distinction" between the urban combined authorities of the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester.

It also said a "Cheshire" devolution agreement would demonstrate that the combined authority's work was separate from that of the three councils.

All of the existing councils would continue to exist following any devolution deal.

The council's deputy leader, Labour's Karen Shore, has also put forward a motion around devolution.

It calls for the council to endorse the decision to negotiate with the government on a devolution deal.

It also asks the council to pledge that "any potential devolution agreement would need to be right for our sub-region, and be informed by the views of our residents, businesses and communities".

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