POLITICIANS are being urged to 'work together' to make Warrington 'one of the best towns in the country' as part of Cheshire.

On Saturday, Warrington Borough Council's Labour group voted for the town to team up with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council in a devolution deal – instead of the Liverpool City Region.

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 deal will include an elected mayor, with the election possibly being held in May 2018.

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill said it would have been a 'disaster' if the town joined up with Liverpool.

He added: "The Government has made it clear that devolution is the only way Warrington will be able to get the funding we need to invest in the town's transport infrastructure, continue to grow our economy and create more jobs.

"Despite the Conservative Government's austerity cuts and their clear preference for investing in projects in the south of the country, Warrington's economy has done really well in recent years.

"This is in part down to a successful relationship with the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

"We want that relationship and economic growth to continue.

"Joining the Liverpool City Region devolution deal was rejected by many Labour councillors – some felt it was wrong to gamble with Warrington's economic future, others felt Warrington's resources would be diverted to prop up the significantly poorer areas of Merseyside.

"Others felt that voting for the Liverpool devolution deal, given Liverpool's open support for the HS2 route's Golborne link would be a clear contradiction of their previous public support for the fight against HS2's proposed route given the detrimental impact it would have on parts of east Warrington, with no financial benefits for the town.

"Clearly, this is just the view of the Labour group and the matter now needs to go through the council and parliamentary processes and we will be consulting with the public and with businesses."

Warrington South MP David Mowat praised Labour councillors and called on politicians across the county to join forces.

He said: "I'm delighted that Warrington's Labour group has finally come to the conclusion that a Cheshire deal is best for the town.

"It's a shame that we have wasted nine months but at least we now have a decision.

"We all need to work together now to make the Cheshire deal a success and make Warrington one of the best towns in the country to live, work and do business in."

But Warrington North MP Helen Jones has been critical.

She said: "I still believe that the Merseyside deal, which includes our neighbouring authorities of Halton and St Helens, is the best option for Warrington.

"It is surprising to see that those who supported Warrington leaving Cheshire County Council now want to re-join Cheshire and that councillors ignored the recommendation of the devolution task group who looked at all the options in great detail.

"I am far from convinced that the economic basis for this decision is sound.

"I hope the decision will not come back to haunt Warrington."

Paul Taylor, who runs Taylor Business Park and is vice chairman of Cheshire Business Leaders, said teaming up with the Cheshire authorities is 'great news' for Warrington firms and 'our economy in general'.

He added: "This result keeps our status as a big fish in a small pond when it comes to money coming to us from central Government and we have already proven that we can hold our own in Cheshire after being a part of the Cheshire and Warrington LEP for years already.

"There is still the issue of who will end up mayor.

"We certainly have a hefty amount of non-domestic rates that can be collected in the borough compared to other regions.

"It's going to be interesting to see how it all pans out.

"There's still a long way to go but I take my hat off to the council for putting the economic future of the town ahead of political concerns about the possibility of a Tory mayor, which is a very likely possibility.

"It's a great show of logical reasoning and selflessness on their part.

"Now it's up to them to use our town's economic strengths to ensure funding comes our way from the new mayor if, and when, one is elected."

An official report will be put to the executive board on February 13, after which it will come before the full council for a vote.