MINISTERS are inviting Cheshire and Warrington to put forward further devolution proposals – but MP David Mowat has criticised Labour for not bringing the matter before full council.

Warrington Borough Council's (WBC) Labour group voted against an elected mayor devolution deal on June 10.

Council chiefs have since been assessing the situation alongside Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire East Council and figures from the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.

And despite the failure to thrash out an agreement so far, the Department for Communities and Local Government has not ruled out a future deal.

A spokesman said: "This Government welcomes the ambitions of any area that wants to take substantial powers and resources away from Whitehall.

"This is a bottom-up process and so the door remains open for Cheshire and Warrington to come forward with their proposals.

"It is entirely voluntary and the Government will only enter into a devolution deal where an area demonstrates strong local agreement and where they are accompanied by strong governance and clear accountability."

Warrington North MP Helen Jones believes Labour made the 'right decision' for the town but Warrington South MP David Mowat has been critical of members.

He said: "I am disappointed that Warrington's Labour group is blocking the devolution deal without giving the full council the opportunity to consider the proposal.

"I am hopeful that a deal can still be struck and that Labour councillors will act in the best interests of Warrington."

There have been suggestions that Warrington could combine with Manchester or Merseyside after the setback earlier this month but Mr Mowat believes it could be too late for such a deal to come to fruition – if it was to be considered.

"I have no objection in principle to Warrington joining either the Manchester or Merseyside city deals but my understanding is that those deals are virtually completed and it would be impossible for Warrington to join at this stage," he added.

WBC council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill hit out at the Government for trying to 'rush' the authority into making decision.

He said: "The deal would mean a significant devolution of powers from Whitehall to a new Cheshire and Warrington combined authority.

"If realised, it would mean a transfer of powers from Whitehall with clear economic benefits.

"But the Government has insisted that the prize of devolution must come with the price of an elected mayor.

"The Government has been very inflexible with its timetable because of the parliamentary process, insisting the public consultation begins in early July in order to accommodate possible mayoral elections in May 2017.

"This timetable is far too rushed and has not given us enough time to consider the risks and opportunities of any deal.

"We are asking for a different timescale and will make an informed decision."