As reported earlier this month, the Cheshire and Warrington Mayoral Combined Authority is set for a funding boost topping £650 million over 30 years. And yesterday, Monday, at its Town Hall meeting, the council’s cabinet provided approval to the Secretary of State to proceed with the establishment of a Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority. The proposed combined authority would give Cheshire and Warrington additional powers around the economy, transport, public services, skills and education, and employment. Cllr Maureen McLaughlin – who is the council’s cabinet member for health, wellbeing and social care – said: “This is a huge opportunity for us. “We can start shaping our own future and being a proper player in the field, between Liverpool and Manchester.”A new joint committee, to be known as the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board, will be created to ‘provide strategic direction and interim arrangements in the best interests of the establishment of a Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority’.