WARRINGTON Borough Council's Labour group has voted for the town to team up with the Cheshire authorities in a devolution deal – instead of the Liverpool City Region.

The topic came before Labour members at the Town Hall yesterday, Saturday.

Following presentations outlining advantages of each option, members opted to pursue a Cheshire deal, instead of one with Liverpool, by 24 votes to 10.

It will come as a blow to Warrington North MP Helen Jones, who felt the town would be better suited to a deal with Liverpool.

But Warrington South MP David Mowat will welcome the move.

The Conservative politician has continually called on councillors to put political agendas aside after speculation that some Labour members ‘feared’ a deal with Cheshire because of the likelihood of it delivering a Tory elected mayor.

And he claimed Warrington would be 'right at the back of the queue whenever there is money available' if it joined with Liverpool.

On Friday, council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill told the Warrington Guardian a devolution deal with Cheshire would go towards filling the borough's funding gap and deliver investment in key services and infrastructure.

He added: "My preferred option is to stay with Cheshire.

"We are a big player in that sub-region and have done well out of it – the economy is vibrant.

"Even with me being on the Local Enterprise Partnership with two Conservative leaders we have still done very well.

"As far as I'm concerned it would be a disaster if we went to Liverpool.

"As part of the devolution concept for Cheshire and Warrington, the other two councils  have agreed our 'new city' concept.

"After coming to a decision, as part of the process, the Government will have to lay orders in Parliament and we will consult with our residents."

Council officers believe the 'new city' plan would be secured with devolution but there have been serious doubts as to whether it could come to fruition without a deal.

Following the vote, efforts to claim the elected mayor position could begin imminently, with the mayoral election potentially being held in May 2018.

By joining with Cheshire, Warrington could benefit from £30 million funding for at least five years, with funding thereafter due to be granted through public sector partners – it will have the potential to secure £30 million a year for 24 years.

The council currently retains 27 per cent of its business rates, which is set to amount to £28 million this year, but the town hopes to retain 100 per cent by 2020 – a vision edging ever closer as devolution discussions progress.

Last June, serious question marks were raised over the Government's devolution proposals put forward for Cheshire and Warrington after the town's Labour group voted against them.

But party members now appear confident of thrashing out a deal with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council, which could pave the way for a much-needed windfall in the borough amid budget cuts.

The party's vote comes after devolution task group members voted to recommend for the executive board to ensure the council pursues further negotiations with the Liverpool City Region in September.