Issue - meetings

Leader's Report to Full Council

Meeting: 11/12/2024 - Council (Item 60)

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               referred to the significant financial pressures faced by the Council and reported that there was a current budget gap of £31.4m for 2025-2026 with ongoing efforts to identify savings, efficiencies, and additional funding sources.

 

2               reported that the provisional local government finance settlement and government grant announcements were expected by Christmas.

 

3               referred to the Transformation Programme and reported that both he and the Deputy Leader had attended the December staff event, which had been well attended by employees from all parts of the Council.

 

4               referred to the expected white paper on Devolution and stated that the Council was actively engaging with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Council on devolution proposals.

 

5               reported that he had attended a meeting of the Cheshire East Bus Partnership Forum which had heard speakers from the Dept of Transport and the Cheshire East Transport Team. The Government had announced the next round of bus improvement funding, which was vital funding to supporting bus service improvements, infrastructure and the £3 bus fare cap.

 

6               reported that the Council had been awarded Fostering Friendly status from the Fostering Network for supporting employees who wished to become foster carers.

 

7               thanked Council staff for their work responding to emergencies caused by Storm Darragh

 

8               wished everybody present and Council staff all the best for the coming festive season.

 

 

The Deputy Leader, in summary: -

 

1               referred to the staff event held on the Transformation Programme, which had provided valuable feedback and input from those who attended.

 

2               reported that development was underway for a new corporate plan for 2025-2029 which would focus on financial stability, clear values and effective partnerships and would align with the recommendations from the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge. A Member Task and Finish Group, comprising of himself, Councillors Liz Braithwaite, Mark Goldsmith, and Becky Posnett, had been set up to help with the drafting of the plan.

 

 

3               reported that the Council was supporting the Royal British Legion’s Credit their Service Campaign which ensured military compensation would not be treated as income when calculating benefits.

 

4               reported that the Council was urgently looking to recruit more Personal Care Assistants to support individuals in the community who needed support to live independently.

 

5        commended the Cheshire East Highways Team who had worked day and night to mitigate the effects of Storm Darragh and paid thanks to the rural community who helped to clear and reopen roads as well as providing vital information on the situation in the rural areas.