Cheshire and Warrington will drive towards becoming the UK’s healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive and fastest-growing region by 2045, following approval of an ambitious economic strategy by the area’s Combined Authority Shadow Board.
The board has backed the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Strategy (SIES), a blueprint to deliver the highest rate of economic and productivity growth in the north, slash carbon emissions by 4.5 million tonnes annually by 2030, and expand access to transport, digital infrastructure and quality housing while reducing poverty.
The strategy harnesses the region’s existing economic firepower—nearly one million residents and over 41,000 businesses including national strengths in clean energy, life sciences and advanced manufacturing—to accelerate clean energy leadership, restore nature, and create opportunities for all.
Councillor Nick Mannion, Deputy Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board and Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “We’re building from a position of strength, with productivity already outpacing the rest of the North West and the national average. Devolution gives us the tools to turn that advantage into transformational growth, with more local control over the decisions that shape our communities’ futures in both rural and urban areas.”
The strategy arrives as the region prepares to establish a Mayoral Combined Authority in early 2026, unlocking at least £650 million in funding over 30 years and transferring key powers over transport, economy and skills from Whitehall to local leaders. Residents will elect their first Mayor in May 2027.
Developed through summer consultation and backed by expert analysis, the 81-page blueprint maps how regional leaders will partner with government and business to deliver the vision.
Read the SIES report in full HERE.
For more information about the Cheshire and Warrington devolution programme, visit cheshireandwarringtondevolution.com.
Vision and themes
This SIES sets out a series of themes outlining how ambitions for the region can be achieved between now and 2045. These include:
Economic Growth & Innovation which includes:
- Commitment to the highest productivity growth in the North; HyNet industrial decarbonisation cluster now ready to start on site.
- Strengthening the Cheshire Science Corridor —which, stretching 40 miles across the M56 corridor, is home to more than 7,000 businesses and the largest concentration of private sector science and technology assets in the North of England.
Sustainability & Nature Recovery which includes:
- Supporting carbon reduction of 4.5m tonnes per year by 2030.
- Target of 1GW of new clean energy generation and storage.
- Major investment in habitat recovery, sustainable rural industries, green infrastructure, and building a circular economy.
Inclusion, Skills & Health which includes:
- Focus on support to help lift communities out of poverty and reducing health inequalities.
- New pathways for skills, careers, and training—including clean energy skills.
- Better access to transport, digital infrastructure, nature and good-quality homes.
Infrastructure & Communities
- Future-proofed transport, housing, utilities, digital connectivity, and Blue-Green infrastructure (a network of natural and semi-natural areas that provides environmental, social, and economic benefits).
- Commitment to support community-led initiatives and the voluntary sector.
