Agenda and minutes

Start of meeting to end of Item 5

Item 6 to end of meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Adams and Councillor B Drake.

Councillor J Clowes attended as a substitute for Councillor Adams.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, and non-registerable interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 December 2025.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There is no facility to allow questions by members of the public at meetings of the Scrutiny Committee. However, a period of 10 minutes will be provided at the beginning of such meetings to allow members of the public to make a statement on any matter that falls within the remit of the committee, subject to individual speakers being restricted to 3 minutes.

There were no registered public speakers in attendance.

To receive presentations from partner agencies on Flood Risk Management

Local Lead Flood Authority (Cheshire East Highways), Cheshire Fire Service, Environment Agency and United Utilities.

The Committee received presentations on flood risk management from colleagues representing Cheshire East Highways (Lead Local Flood Authority), Cheshire Fire Authority, United Utilities and the Environment Agency. Representatives updated Committee Members on the role of their organisations in the event of flooding and how partners worked together.

Cheshire East Highways highlighted to Members the key challenges faced by the Team. These included rural and aging infrastructure, along with areas of the borough which are not fully mapped out and an increase in development. However, it was noted that good progress had been made with repairs and capacity at a number of pumping stations has been increased.

It was noted that there were a number of reoccurring issues on the network and the intention is to collect data relating to these sites, which will be retained to improve intelligence, analysis and provide appropriate responses to incidents.

The Environment Agency provided Members with an overview of their roles and responsibilities in relation to flooding incidents and provided details of future investment, including details of natural flood management projects and the implementation of the Next Flood Warning Service.

Representatives from Cheshire Fire Authority provided information to the committee that confirmed that although there is no statutory duty for the Fire Service to carry out water related rescues, they do respond as required. Resources have been reviewed which has resulted in all front-line firefighters being issued with wading suits, specialist water rescue teams have been redeployed and rescue boats have been relocated.

United Utilities representatives provided the committee with details relating to the significant investment and time that has been put into reducing flooding incidents across Cheshire. This has involved work by the Performance Team reviewing workstreams, undertaking site visits to check for blockage or issues that may cause repeat incidents and requesting funding to enable repairs.

It was highlighted to Members that across the Cheshire East network a significant proportion of planned maintenance and upgrade activities have been completed, with further targeted works scheduled for delivery over the coming months and years to enhance network reliability and reduce pollution risk.

RESOLVED:

On behalf of the Committee, the Chair thanked all partners for their attendance and ongoing collaborative working.

Members noted the content of the presentations.

To receive the above report.

The committee received a report that shared the learning from a Thematic Review into six Domestic Abuse Related Deaths, all of which occurred in Cheshire East since 2021. The Review was completed by an Independent Author and was commissioned by the Safer Cheshire East Partnership.

The report set out the learning and recommendations from the Domestic Homicide Reviews to ensure that service delivery is improved and to prevent further incidents of harm. It was noted that the Safer Cheshire East Partnership will oversee the Action Plans submitted from each review.

Recommendations from the Thematic Review have been included in the Councils Suicide Prevention Strategy and Domestic Abuse Strategy, with further work required to refresh Cheshire East Councils HR Policy when working with victims and perpetrators of Domestic Abuse.

RESOLVED:

That the committee noted the learning and recommendations from the Domestic Homicide Thematic Review Report.

To receive details of a Domestic Homicide Report.

The committee received a Domestic Homicide Review report that had been commissioned by the Safer Cheshire East Partnership in October 2023 following the death of Liz in August 2023.

Members were informed that the purpose of the report was to establish what lessons could be learnt from the way in which local professionals and organisations work individually and together to safeguard victims.

The review made a nummber of recommendations, including Cheshire Police and Partner Agencies to implement training for officers focused on recognising indicators of coercion and control and the introduction of Suicide Prevention Training available to professional staff within Cheshire East Council every 4/6 weeks. A new Domestic Abuse Strategy has also been approved and published.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee accepted the findings of this Domestic Homicide Review and agreed for the report to be published on the Safer Cheshire East Website.

To receive details of a Domestic Homicide Report.

The committee received a Domestic Homicide Review report that had been commissioned by the Safer Cheshire East Partnership in December 2022 following the death of Jennifer in September 2022.

Members were informed that the purpose of the report was to establish what lessons could be learnt from the way in which local professionals and organisations work individually and together to safeguard victims.

Members considered the learning and recommendations made from the Domestic Homicide Review and  noted that the Safer Cheshire East Partnership hosted a Domestic Homicide Review Summit in December 2025 which brought together all the themes and trends from completed DHRs in the area.

RESOLVED:

That the committee accepted the findings of this Domestic Homicide Review and agreed for the report to be published on the Safer Cheshire East Website.

To receive details of a Domestic Homicide Report.

The committee received a Domestic Homicide Review report that had been commissioned by the Safer Cheshire East Partnership in February 2023 following the death of Chloe in January 2023.

Members were informed that the conclusion of Chloes Review stated that a multifaceted strategy is essential to address situations like Chloe's. This strategy would involve enhancing multi-agency collaboration, strengthening legal consequences, reforming policies, and improving victim engagement to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

To achieve this, a number of recommendations were made to Cheshire Police,  

Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Support Services, Cheshire East GP’s and Education Providers.  

RESOLVED:

That the Committee accepted the findings of this Domestic Homicide Review and agreed for the report to be published on the Safer Cheshire East Website.

To consider items to transfer to the newly formed Scrutiny Committees from May 2026.

The committee considered the content of the work programme.

The Chair confirmed that all items will be considered by the relevant Scrutiny Committee following the change in governance arrangements to a Leader and Cabinet model in May 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be noted.