Agenda and minutes

The following announcements were made by the Leader:

• Webb House, Crewe: it was confirmed that the Council was continuing to support residents following the police operation at Webb House, acknowledging disruption and concerns in the local community. Whilst information was limited due to the ongoing investigation, support was being provided and updates shared via a dedicated webpage.

• Ofsted: the Leader welcomed the positive feedback from Ofsted, noting continued improvements in services for care leavers and stronger leadership driving progress. Thanks were given to staff for their ongoing commitment to improving outcomes.

• The Leader, on behalf of the Cabinet, thanked all officers and elected Members who had worked collaboratively to prepare for the first Cabinet meeting and the launch of the overview and scrutiny process.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor David Jefferay and Councillor Mick Warren.

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.

In accordance with the Cabinet Procedure Rules, a total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to put questions to Cabinet on any matter relating to this agenda. Each member of the public will be allowed up to two minutes each to speak, and the Chair will have discretion to vary this where they consider it appropriate.

Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting.

There were no registered public speakers.

Councillor K Edwards was registered to make a statement in relation to agenda item 7. The Leader confirmed he would ask Councillor Edwards to make his statement after the report had been presented.

A period of 15 minutes is allocated for questions to be put to Cabinet Members by members of the Council. A maximum period of two minutes will be allowed for each member wishing to ask a question. The Leader will have discretion to vary this requirement where he considers it appropriate. Members wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide 3 clear working days’ notice.

The following Members were registered to ask questions:

• Councillor J Clowes [item 7]
• Councillor L Wardlaw [item 7]
• Councillor S Gardiner [items 7, 8, 9]

The Leader agreed to allow each Member to ask their question after the report had been presented.

To appoint Members to Joint Committees, Boards and Working Groups.

Cabinet considered the report seeking approval to appoint Members to a range of Joint Committees, Boards, Working Groups and other bodies, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Cabinet noted that the appointments were necessary to ensure the Council was appropriately represented and able to discharge its responsibilities across partnership bodies and internal working groups. It was also noted that, where nominations were not confirmed at the meeting, these would be submitted to the Head of Democratic Services.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Cabinet

1.    Appoint the bodies referred-to in the report and agrees the Member appointments to them as set out below, provided that details of nominees that are not yet available be supplied to the Head of Democratic Services.

To consider the report on becoming a Marmot Local Authority.

Cabinet considered a report which updated Members on the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority’s commitment to the Marmot Principles and a Health in All Policies approach, and outlined the opportunities for Cheshire East Council in becoming a Marmot Local Authority.

Councillor Clowes spoke as a visiting Member and sought assurance on how the “golden thread” of reducing health inequalities would be embedded in practice, how duplication and gaps between existing programmes would be avoided, how any future activity would be funded given pressures on Public Health budgets, and how progress and impact would be measured consistently across local and sub-regional levels.

In response, the Leader stated that the report was for information only at this stage, with further work needed to address the issues raised which would include engagement with Members and partners, development of governance and delivery arrangements, alignment of existing programmes, consideration of sustainable funding, and the creation of a clear framework to monitor progress and impact over time. The Leader agreed to provide a written response to the questions raised.

Councillor L Wardlaw spoke as a visiting Member and asked whether the Council was effectively already operating as a Marmot Council through its existing commitments, and whether the Combined Authority was aligning to that position. It was asked what additional value formal recognition as a Marmot Local Authority would bring to the Council’s existing work with health and voluntary sector partners.

In response the Leader noted that whilst existing regional and sub-regional commitments provided a strong foundation, the Council had not yet sought formal recognition from the Institute of Health Equity and further work was needed to ensure the Marmot principles were fully embedded. If progressed, this would involve working with the Institute to develop a robust plan and build on current activity. The approach would add value by strengthening and enhancing existing partnerships and efforts to reduce health inequalities, while creating further opportunities to support residents’ health and wellbeing.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Cabinet

1.    Note the contents of the report, including the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority commitment to Marmot Principles and the potential benefits of becoming a Marmot Local Authority in Cheshire East.

2.    Agree to timetable a decision on becoming a Marmot Local Authority area (Autumn 2026).

To consider the report on the preparation of the Cheshire East New Local Plan.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to formally commence preparation of the Cheshire East Local Plan under the Government’s new plan-making system. It was noted that the Council had a statutory duty to produce a Local Plan, and that recent legislative changes now enabled the process to begin.

Councillor S Gardiner spoke as a visiting Member and raised concerns regarding the timing of the consultation, noting it coincided with the school summer holidays and suggested a delay to improve engagement and perception. He also queried whether the proposed timetable, particularly the planned consultation in July 2027, was realistic in light of the local elections.

In response, the Deputy Leader acknowledged the timing of the consultation but advised that the schedule had been designed to maintain overall programme momentum and meet key statutory milestones, with mitigations in place to maximise engagement throughout the period. Whilst a later start could be considered, this would delay the wider process. In relation to the local elections, the timetable had been planned with this in mind, and officers remained confident that the proposed timescales were achievable, with the programme kept under review and adjusted as necessary.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Cabinet

1. Approve the Cheshire East Local Plan timetable (appendix 2) for publication.

2. Publish the Notice of Intention to Commence the Cheshire East Local Plan (appendix 1).

To consider the report on the Heritage and Local List Supplementary Planning Document.

Cabinet considered a report which proposed the adoption of the revised Heritage and Local List Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). It was noted that the SPD would provide updated guidance on the identification and management of non-designated heritage assets and support decision-making in planning applications.

Councillor K Edwards made a statement as a visiting Member and expressed support for the SPD on the Local List of heritage assets, on behalf of himself and Bollington Civic Society. He highlighted the importance of public involvement in nominating assets, the availability of an emergency listing process where assets are at risk, and the role of local listing in strengthening planning protections.

The Leader thanked Councillor Edwards for his contribution, acknowledged his support for the proposals and his interest and expertise in heritage matters.

Councillor S Gardiner spoke as a visiting Member and asked whether, when an asset was added to the Local List, consideration would also be given to applying an Article 4 Direction to provide additional protection from permitted development or nearby works that could affect its significance.

In response, the Deputy Leader advised that Local Listing primarily recognised an asset’s heritage significance and ensured this was considered in planning decisions. The use of an Article 4 Direction would not automatically follow but could be applied on a case-by-case basis where there was clear justification, taking into account the level of risk from permitted development and the need for proportionate additional controls.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Cabinet

1.    Adopt the final draft revised Local List SPD (Appendix 1).

To consider the report on Leisure Contract Recommissioning.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to commence the strategic commissioning of the Council’s leisure services, in advance of the expiry of the current contract in April 2029. It was noted that the existing contract could not be extended due to changes in procurement legislation and that a new delivery model would be required to ensure long-term financial sustainability and continued provision of services.

Cabinet recognised that further consultation would be undertaken with residents and stakeholders once a preferred model had been identified, prior to a final decision being brought back for consideration. It was agreed that the terms of reference would be updated to ensure that the Portfolio Holder would be engaged throughout the process.

Councillor S Gardiner spoke as a visiting Member and queried whether the purpose of the work was to commission a new leisure service model and, if so, whether this would lead to a reduced leisure offer for residents, including fewer facilities and a smaller estate.

In response, Councillor R Vernon confirmed the purpose of the work was to
review and explore a range of options for delivering leisure services in a more effective, ambitious, and financially sustainable way. This included considering different delivery models and how the leisure estate could be better used. No decisions had been made, and the intention was not to reduce provision, but to improve outcomes, increase participation, and deliver better value for residents. All options, including any potential impact on facilities, would be carefully assessed before any conclusions were reached.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Cabinet

1.    Approve the Terms of Reference relating to the procurement of the external specialist advice based on the following core principles:

•       Reviewing the current leisure estate;

•       Maximising health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities;

•       Ensuring financial sustainability by ceasing the subsidy which is currently provided to support the leisure contract.

2.    Approve the commencement of work to commission a new Leisure Service and delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to:

a.    develop the commissioning model including procurement of specialist advice

b.    consult on the proposals prior to returning to cabinet for a final decision on which delivery model to progress with.

3.    Approve the financial commitment contained in Appendix C and delegate to the Executive Director of Resources, Section 151 Officer to approve and arrange budget virements in line with the Finance Procedure Rules.

4.    Approve the addition to the MTFS of a Strategic Commissioning Saving and delegate to the Director of Planning and Environment in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Portfolio Holder to confirm phasing across the MTFS from 2029 onwards.