WARRINGTON is the jewel in the crown of Cheshire and could end up a small fish in a big pond if it moves to the Liverpool region, according to a top businessman.

Paul Taylor runs Taylor Business Park and is vice chairman of the Cheshire Business Leaders group.

He believes that if Warrington's political leaders decide to become part of the Liverpool City Region rather than opt for devolution with Cheshire, it could put Warrington at the bottom of the pile when it comes to investment.

Mr Taylor said: "Warrington is currently part of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and is enjoying a great deal of sustained investment from it. Funds that are released from central government are utilised by the LEPs which must put forward economically viable cases to receive the investment.

"Warrington has enjoyed an important seat at the table at this LEP which is currently made up of the three Cheshire councils (including Warrington) and is chaired by local business leaders.

"They have secured four enterprise zones in Cheshire, one of which is right here in Birchwood. Liverpool secured just two (the city itself and the Mersey Waters) if you don’t count Daresbury which was actually bid for by the Cheshire and Warrington LEP.

"Warrington combined with Cheshire has an impressive economy with a GVA per head of £22,750 and growth per annum of 3.5% compared to Liverpool City Region’s deteriorating £15,600 GVA per head and 1.6% annual growth. We would effectively be boosting their economy while dragging ours down. (National averages (including London) for the above are £21,350 and 4.1% respectively).

"We are the jewel in the Crown in Cheshire when it comes to growth and investment thanks in no small part to the work done to date by the council and Warrington & Co.

"Our economy mirrors those in the rest of the sub-region with a focus on energy and manufacturing that the Liverpool City Region simply does not have the same level of success with. It may be investing in these but only due to the fact that they have seen such low levels of growth over the years."

And he believes that a political rather than economic reasoning may be behind the decision.

He added: "Their main concern seems to lie in the worry that we may end up with a Tory mayor in a Labour stronghold but as we have seen in the recent election of a Labour Police Crime Commissioner for Cheshire these concerns may be unfounded.

"The key is to put forward the best candidate for the role and to campaign well. Yes, it will be a challenge as any election is, but taking the 'safe' route of a guaranteed Labour mayor at the sacrifice of the town’s best interests is very concerning. Especially if a Liverpool mayor does not have Warrington’s best interests at heart.

"I strongly believe we should be more focused on maintaining our current status as a big fish in a small pond rather suddenly becoming one of many different local authorities in a region that will be focusing on its own city and the struggling outlying authorities that have signed up in the hope of turning their declining economies around.

"We should be looking at how we can best utilise devolution to improve Warrington and its status in Cheshire rather than put all of our business rates and other resources into Liverpool’s pot to distribute how their city mayor sees fit. We are Warrington. We are not St Helens."