A statement by Cheshire East Conservative group leader Janet Clowes and Cheshire West leader Adrian Waddelove said they supported the idea “in principle”.
However, they said they have “deep concerns that our councils have neither the operational capacity nor the financial sustainability to deliver an effective devolution programme in time for mayoral elections in 2026”.
They added that a 12-month delay “offers a more realistic time-scale” to “get the job done well and most importantly, to get back on track for financial sustainability”.
Labour leaders have said it was important to be around the table for talks with the government.
They said in a statement that “being part of the government’s priority programme would put us at the front of the queue for the potential benefits of devolution”.
