Leader's Announcements
To receive such announcements as may be made by the Leader.
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council made the following speech to Council :-
Our Journey so Far
“Thank you Madam Mayor. Members of Council, 2014 promises to be another exciting year for Cheshire East Council and a year of continued transformation.
As we all know, since 2011, Cheshire East Council has faced the double pressure of rising demand for services, coupled with diminishing resources and funding. In order to tackle this unprecedented funding challenge, and to avoid a financial ‘cliff edge’, this Council has taken a long-term view in adopting a flexible model of service delivery.
Last February we began our journey of transition towards becoming a “commissioning council”. This new strategic commissioning approach will deliver the savings we need without over simplistic ‘salami slicing’ of services, it will also ensure services are shaped around residents, businesses and service users.
As part of this new way of working we are building strong coalitions with local and national public sector partners, business leaders, local third sector and voluntary organisations and directly with local residents.
By doing this and by involving them directly in the commissioning of services we will support our local communities to be more resilient and self sufficient, and so reducing demand on public services.
By setting this path, and by making the difficult decisions early on we have made a choice, we have chosen not to close leisure centres, not to stop services and not to force staff to take pay holidays. Instead, we have chosen a resident first approach ensuring that we move forward together in ‘one direction’.
Under this new structure, we have streamlined our Senior Management Team. Now that we have a permanent team, the Council can be confident that we have the right people in place to deliver on the plans that we have set out”.
The New Role of Elected Members
“This ambitious strategy and new senior management structure will require both strategic and operational level leadership from elected members, in order to meet the service-delivery and budgetary challenges set out. Officers face new and uncharted territory and will need leadership and guidance from elected members, to ensure that our scarce resources are used to add maximum social value for the residents and businesses of Cheshire East.
To ensure elected members continue to lead these changes and to drive and influence commissioning decisions, it is vitally important for portfolio responsibilities to be aligned with the Council’s priorities and the new matrix management structure.
I announce today that from May this year, the Cabinet will be re- structured to meet the demands of a commissioning Council and that Portfolio Holders work to the new Matrix Model. I have arranged for details of the new Portfolio Holder details to be circulated around the chamber”.
Deputy Cabinet Members
“I will also bring forward re-modelled roles for our executive business, changing the current Cabinet Support arrangements and creating new, powerful, Deputy Cabinet Member roles which will be pivotal in delivering the aspirations of this Council. So, as of ... view the full minutes text for item 70