A MEMBER of the council's devolution task group has claimed a recommendation to pursue further negotiations with the Liverpool City Region has been made.

The cross-party group, which is chaired by deputy council leader Cllr Graham Friend, met last night, Thursday.

Cllr Morgan Tarr (LAB – Orford), who sits on it, said: "The task group has been meeting for the last few months and we have heard evidence from Cheshire, Liverpool and from our own council officers.

"Having heard all the evidence it was clear to me, as it was to the majority of the task group, that the best option available to us is to continue negotiations with the Liverpool City Region in order to secure the best possible deal for the residents of Warrington.

"The Liberal Democrats on the task group joined up with the Tories and attempted to drag Warrington back under the control of Cheshire.

"A deal with Cheshire is certainly not in the best interests of my residents in Orford, nor the residents of the town as a whole."

Council leader Terry O'Neill previously said the group was due to report back to the executive board with a recommendation by the end of September.

However, council chief executive Steven Broomhead has stressed a decision is yet to be made and said the group will continue meeting on a 'periodic basis'.

He added: "The meetings they have had have given them the opportunity to consider all the evidence and benefits, it has given them a very thorough opportunity for consideration – it is a good process."

The Warrington Guardian understands the Labour group, which rejected the Government's devolution proposals in June, is set to hear further information surrounding the options open to the council in early October.

The Liverpool City Region consists of the six local authority areas covering Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Liverpool and Wirral.

As well as the Liverpool option, potential deals with Cheshire and Manchester have also been considered by the group.

An agreement between the Government and council could generate a much-needed cash boost for the authority.

But the council insists it will not be rushed into any decision, as it seeks to secure the 'best deal' for the town's residents.

Warrington North MP Helen Jones believes the town would be best suited to the Liverpool City Region.

She said: "The task group is right.

"Warrington has far more in common with the Liverpool City Region than rural Cheshire."