Businesses have thrown their weight behind the devolution push.

The Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board has penned an open letter urging council leaders to 'seize' the opportunity of devolution.

They believe it would give the area more say in its own future and power to improve things that matter to residents and businesses, such as transport, the economy and job opportunities.

The letter was penned by the board's chair, Steve Purdham, who co-founded Congleton-based cybersecurity firm SurfControl Plc.

He wrote: "Fundamentally, the business community supports Cheshire and Warrington Devolution and the swift election of a mayor at the earliest possible time.

"Devolution offers the single most significant mechanism we have seen to shape the prosperity of Cheshire and Warrington's residents and businesses over the next five, ten and twenty years."

Steve Purdham (Credit: CWBAB)

The letter includes representation from a range of sectors, including sciences, education, energy, tourism, and digital as well as organisations such as the Cheshire Chambers and CBI.

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It highlights the need to move swiftly to avoid seeing financial settlements shrink in the future, stating: "Funding reserved for mayoral areas is being allocated now.

"Every month of hesitation is a month in which real money, jobs and projects flow to our neighbours instead of to Cheshire and Warrington."

It continues: "In 2023-24, established mayoral combined authorities (such as Liverpool and Greater Manchester) were able to draw on hundreds of millions of pounds in transport, skills and regeneration funds—resources we simply cannot touch until we are in the system. 

"If we delay, we forfeit the 'Fast-Track' status that guarantees early access to those larger pots, and there is no assurance the same opportunity will be available in 2027 or beyond."

On top of this, the board feel that an elected mayor would given the region 'a voice at the main tables and national and regional forums, such as the Council of Nations and Regions and Committee of Mayors'.

Mr Purdham concludes: "We are ready to work with the councils and a future mayor to ensure benefits reach every town, village, community and business.

"We encourage you and all your elected councillor colleagues to put place before politics and seize this opportunity now.

"In a time of national economic challenge and global uncertainty there is no time to wait."

The open letter can be read in full here.