Leader's and Deputy Leader's Announcements
To receive such announcements as may be made by the Leader and Deputy Leader.
Minutes:
The Leader, in summary:
1 reported that Nottingham was the latest council to issue a section 114 notice, effectively declaring its self-bankrupt. The Leader noted that all councils were under severe financial pressure. He stated that this Council was in a better position than many because it had a fully balanced four-year financial strategy and a good record in recent years of financial discipline. However, the Council currently had a forecast deficit for the current year of £13m, so financial saving needed to be made.
2 stated that over two thirds of the Council’s budget was on adults and children’s social care and that there had been significant cost increases in both areas. The increase in costs for children’s social care was linked to the Children and Families Act 2014 which had led to an increased demand without central government providing the necessary funding or providing increase capacity. There was a shortage of places which had led to an increase in cost and an increase in travel costs with children being placed out of the Borough. The excess costs had been put into a negative reserve until 2026.
3 stated that he would like to see improved special education needs and disability provision in schools and more specialist provision in Cheshire East. However, the Council could not set up a new school on its own and had to work with external partners to set up so called free schools, which added further complexity and time. These were statutory services, and this left non statutory services at risk of further cuts.
4 stated that the Chancellor would be announcing shortly the funding settlements for Councils. If there was no extra money, there would be little choice but to make further cuts in services to balance the books. He thanked staff who were working to address these challenges.
5 stated that tackling climate change had been a key theme since he had become Leader of the Council and the sub region. He had co-chaired the Cheshire and Warrington Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Commission and encouraged all to read their report. He had spoken on climate change at the Northwest Route to Net Zero conference in Liverpool, the Northwest Regional Leaders’ Board and at the County Council’s Network Conference.
6 stated that he was pleased to see that the Solar Together Scheme had won a Green Expo Award for Innovation in Energy. He stated that one reason people were reluctant to install solar panels and batteries was caution about the reputed reliability of the supplier. The Council was addressing this by partnering with IChoosr Ltd to bring Solar Together to Cheshire East’s homeowners and encouraged all elected members to promote the Solar Together scheme.
The Deputy Leader, in summary:
1 reported that following the decision to cancel HS2, the Government was intending to allocate additional Locally Integrated Transport Settlement funding for Cheshire East. Further details on how much funding the Council would be allocated and supporting guidance were expected early in the New ... view the full minutes text for item 54