In accordance with the Cabinet Procedure Rules, for the Leadership to present to Council information about executive functions in the forthcoming year.
Minutes:
The Leader, in summary
1 reported on the financial position of the Council following the Fourth Quarter Financial Review. The revenue position had improved to a position to allow general reserves to be built back up and also able to use less of the Exceptional Financial Support than planned by just under £3m. The capital forecast had reduced slightly to about £125m but the Dedicated School Grant position had worsened by a further £7m due to additional EHCPs for young people being forecasted for.
2 reported that in March the Corporate Policy Committee had received a comprehensive update on progress with the delivery of the Council’s Improvement and Transformation Delivery Plan and had noted the progress made against the actions within the Plan, especially the positive direction of travel for improvement in Children’s Services, the move to the Leader and Cabinet model, clearer financial reporting and a successful transformation pilot within Adult Social Care delivering both savings and better outcomes for residents.
3 reported on Ofsted monitoring visit on care leavers which had concluded on 29 April and that the initial findings reflected Children’s Services own self-assessment. The inspectors recognised that a lot of progress has been made since the inspection in 2024. The final letter of findings would be published on Monday 1 June.
4 reported that following the move to the Leader and Cabinet system of governance, the following would be appointed as Cabinet members:
Cllr Michael Gorman – Deputy Leader
Cllr Jill Rhodes– Portfolio Holder for Adult
Deputy Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake
Cllr Laura Crane – Portfolio Holder for Children
Cllr Emma Gilman – Portfolio Holder for Education and SEND
Cllr Dawn Clark - Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal
Deputy Cllr Garnet Marshall
Cllr Mick Warren - Portfolio Holder for Planning Housing and Regeneration
Cllr David Jefferay - Portfolio Holder for Environment, Sustainability and Waste Management
Cllr Mark Goldsmith - Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport
Cllr Rob Vernon - Portfolio Holder for Communities and Engagement
5 reported that a Local Service Delivery task and finish group was being established to look at implementing a programme of scheduled service and asset transfers to town and parish councils and would be chaired by Cllr Rob Vernon, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Engagement.
6 reported that the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority was now established as a legal entity and had held its inaugural meeting on 22 April 2026.
6 reported that a structured training programme was being introduced to support councillors under the new governance model, which Members were expected to make every effort to attend when invited to specific training events.
7 reported that the Council was supporting a major ongoing police investigation in relation to Webb House in Crewe but was unable to provide details of the work that was being undertaking due to sensitivity of the matter. He thanked staff for the work they were undertaking to support individuals. He acknowledged the concerns of local residents and further information would be provided when possible.
The Deputy Leader, in summary:
1 reported that Armed Forces Day celebrations in Queens Park, Crewe on 28 June and 29 June would include RAF participation and a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast.
2 reported that the Council’s Armed Forces Champion - Cllr Anthony Harrison, had been working with the North West Reserve Forces and Cadets Association to explore the introduction of cadets to assist on civic events and functions.
3 reported that the Council was investing £45m in a programme of highways and transport improvements in 2026/7. This included £32m for road maintenance, £10m in government transport grants and £5.8m for local buses. Projects included the resurfacing of a new 1.5-mile walking and cycling route between Wilmslow town centre and Handforth and the replacement of the bridge over Waterless Brook on Pickmere Lane in Tabley.
4 reported that the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team had obtained a closure order on a property in Disley following months of serious and persistent issues including violence and harassment, drug use, and significant disruption to other residents.
5 reported that following the latest triennial valuation of the Cheshire Pension Fund, the Council’s employer contributions would be reducing from 23.7% contributions to 18% which would save £4m per year.
6 reported on the launch of the ‘Made in Cheshire’ initiative which aimed to promote Cheshire East as an excellent place to start, grow and sustain a business. As part of the initiative, he and the Leader had visited Bespak in Holmes Chapel, who manufactured the first low carbon pressurised metered dose inhaler to be approved and sold anywhere in the world, and Three Wrens Gin, a family?run distillery based in Combermere.
7 referred to the 2023 Grant Thornton’s Public Interest Report which identified a culture of bullying, fear and lack of accountability and on behalf of the Leader and himself apologies to staff, especially those who were affected by this culture, and committed to building a new positive culture based on respect, openness and accountability.