A milestone first meeting of Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority (CWCA) was told the next generation will be at its heart – as the region formally marked the transfer of powers from Westminster.
Leaders made the pledge to give young people a seat at the table and shape theCWCA’s blueprint as they held the landmark first public meeting at Warrington Youth Zone, where they heard directly from young people about their hopes and aspirations for the future.
The momentous meeting came after the region was given the government green light in March to form the CWCA and take control over powers related to transport, skills and investment including a 30-year investment fund worth £20m a year.
The people of Cheshire and Warrington will next year elect a Mayor who, by having a voice on the national and international stage, will bang the drum for a region home to almost one million residents, national strengths in clean energy, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, 41,000 businesses, and a £4bn tourism economy.
Today leaders said Warrington Youth Zone was a perfect location for the inaugural meeting and region’s exciting new chapter – amid a collective pledge to work with young people and feed their priorities into the CWCA and inform the work of the Mayor following their election next year.
The Combined Authority will bring forward plans in the coming months to invest in accelerating regional growth priorities, business support and celebrating communities and culture.
The CWCA will continue preparatory work ahead of the 2027 mayoral election and the transfer of powers in areas including transport and skills.
Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, appointed today as Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority said: “Today is a momentous day for Cheshire and Warrington, putting the destiny and decision-making of the region into its own hands. We will use our devolved powers to unlock investment, jobs and opportunity for local people and businesses, creating prosperity across our region.
“We want to ensure the aspirations of young people like the passionate Warrington Youth Zone representatives we spoke with today are met. In the coming months we will be exploring ways in which we can give them a seat a table so they can help shape the Combined Authority’s blueprint and ensure the next generation is at the heart of our decision making.”
Cllr Hans Mundry, Leader of Warrington Borough Council, said: “We know from our experience in Warrington the positive impact that better public transport, connectivity and investment can have on an area’s fortunes. This means the Combined Authority delivering the game-changing infrastructure that will help local people and businesses across the region, working with Government to deliver a new station Warrington Bank Quay so we can maximise the benefits from Northern Powerhouse Rail.”
Cllr Nick Mannion, Leader of Cheshire East Council and Vice Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority, said: “Devolution will ensure our new funding and powers can deliver against the priorities that matter to Cheshire and Warrington,developing the skills people and businesses need to grow.
“We are determined to utilise our voice on the national and global stage. From flying the flag for the region at The Great North Investment Summit to championing Cheshire and Warrington at UKREiiF, we are wasting no time in fighting for the region, so it gets the investment it deserves.”
Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Michael Gorman said: “From improving transport and supporting the rural economy and dairy industry to bolstering business growth over the next 30 years – the benefits are enormous and Cheshire and Warrington is well-placed to deliver better jobs, better transport and real opportunity for its residents.”
Ahead of the meeting the Combined Authority board and Interim Chief Executive Nick Walkley were given a tour of Warrington Youth Zone’s purpose-built state of the art facility for the town’s young people by young representatives, alongside its Chief Executive Dave McNicholl.
Dave McNicholl, Warrington Youth Zone CEO, said: “As an organisation dedicated to helping young people thrive it was an honour to host the CWCA’s milestone meeting and hear about a shared vision, which includes improving the life chances of the region’s incredible young people.”
Young people outlining their hopes for the region as it begins life as a combined authority included Indie Lomax, 18, from Warrington who said: “Hopefully the politicians can make things more affordable. People struggle with jobs, buses need to be cheaper.”
And Ryan Parker, 18, from Latchford said: “The big thing for me is that they care about the youth. That they see us as young people who can become adults. I see Cheshire and Warrington on the map in 30 years. If you tell someone you’re from this region they will know what this place is like. If we thrive as much as we can, we can seriously get somewhere with its people and offering.”
