Cheshire East Council: Comprehensive Profile

Background

Overview

Cheshire East Council is a unitary authority established on 1 April 2009, following the amalgamation of the former boroughs of Macclesfield, Congleton, and Crewe and Nantwich, along with the functions of the former Cheshire County Council. Serving a population of approximately 398,800 residents across more than 175,000 households, the council oversees a diverse region encompassing both urban centers and rural communities. Major towns within its jurisdiction include Crewe, Macclesfield, Congleton, and Wilmslow.

Mission and Vision

The council's vision is encapsulated in its commitment to being:

• Open: Providing strong community leadership and working transparently with residents, businesses, and partners.

• Fair: Aiming to reduce inequalities, promote fairness and opportunity for all, and support the most vulnerable residents.

• Green: Leading communities to protect and enhance the environment, tackle the climate emergency, and drive sustainable development.

Industry Significance

Cheshire East boasts a dynamic knowledge economy, housing successful multinational companies such as Bentley, Waters Corporation, AstraZeneca, Barclays, Recipharm, and Royal London. The region is at the heart of one of the UK's largest science and technology clusters, with an economy outperforming the national growth rate by 25%. Key sectors include automotive, biotechnology, chemical, financial services, food and drink, ICT, and tourism.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

The council's strategic focus is outlined in its Corporate Plan 2021-2025, emphasizing:

• An Open and Enabling Organization: Ensuring transparency in decision-making, engaging with residents, and supporting a sustainable financial future through service development and transformation.

• A Council Which Empowers and Cares About People: Collaborating with residents and partners to support strong, resilient communities, reducing health inequalities, and safeguarding vulnerable populations.

• A Thriving and Sustainable Place: Promoting a great place to live, work, and visit, with safe and clean neighborhoods, environmental sustainability, and a robust transport network.

Primary Markets and Conditions Targeted

The council targets various sectors, including:

• Economic Development: Fostering growth in key industries such as automotive, biotechnology, and financial services.

• Environmental Sustainability: Implementing initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality and promote green infrastructure.

• Social Services: Enhancing support for children, families, and vulnerable adults, particularly in areas like Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Cheshire East Council has faced significant financial challenges in recent years. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the council utilized £11 million of its reserves to balance the budget and projected a savings requirement of £20 million for 2024-2025. Despite these measures, reserves were anticipated to dwindle to £2.1 million by the end of the financial year. Consequently, the council applied for exceptional financial support of £17.6 million from central government.

Intended Utilization of Capital

The council's financial strategy focuses on:

• Service Transformation: Implementing efficiency savings and service improvements to address budget shortfalls.

• Debt Management: Addressing the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit, which was forecasted to reach £89.6 million by the end of 2023-2024.

• Infrastructure Investment: Allocating funds to major capital projects, including roads, town center regeneration, and schools, with plans to invest more than £1 billion in such initiatives.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

• Rob Polkinghorne: Appointed as Chief Executive in January 2024, Rob brings extensive experience in local government leadership.

• Karen Wheeler: Serving as Interim Assistant Chief Executive, Karen plays a pivotal role in organizational strategy and operations.

• Janet Witkowski: As Acting Governance, Compliance, and Monitoring Officer, Janet ensures adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks.

• Adele Taylor: The Interim Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, Adele oversees financial management and resource allocation.

• Phil Cresswell: As Executive Director of Place, Phil focuses on economic development, infrastructure, and environmental initiatives.

• Helen Charlesworth-May: Serving as Executive Director of Adults, Health, and Integration, Helen leads adult social care and health services.

• Theresa Leavy: The Interim Executive Director of Children’s Services, Theresa is responsible for children's social care and education services.

Recent Leadership Changes

In July 2024, Nick Mannion was elected as the Leader of the Council, succeeding Sam Corcoran. This change followed a vote of no confidence in the previous leader.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

As a local authority, Cheshire East Council operates within the public sector, focusing on service delivery to residents and businesses. Its "competitors" are neighboring councils that vie for regional investment, talent, and resources.

Competitor Analysis

Neighboring authorities include Cheshire West and Chester Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, and Staffordshire County Council. These councils share similar responsibilities and challenges, such as managing budgets, delivering social services, and promoting economic development.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Cheshire East Council collaborates with various organizations to enhance service delivery and economic growth:

• Public Sector Partnerships: Working with health services, police, and neighboring councils to coordinate services and initiatives.

• Private Sector Engagement: Partnering with local businesses and multinational corporations to drive economic development and employment opportunities.

• Community Organizations: Engaging with voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sectors to support community resilience and social cohesion.

Operational Insights

Strategic Considerations

The council's strategic considerations include:

• Financial Sustainability: Implementing measures to address budget deficits and ensure long-term financial health.

• Service Improvement: Enhancing the quality and efficiency of services, particularly in areas like children's services, which were rated as "Inadequate" by OFSTED in May 2024.

• Community Engagement: Building trust and transparency with residents through effective communication and involvement in decision-making processes.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Strategic Roadmap

The council's future directions include:

• Financial Recovery: Implementing a transformation plan to achieve savings and restore financial stability.

• Service Transformation: Addressing areas of underperformance, particularly in children's services, to improve outcomes for residents.

• Sustainable Development: Pursuing initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality and promote environmental sustainability.

Opportunities for Expansion

Potential areas for expansion include:

• Economic Development: Attracting new businesses and investment to the region to stimulate economic growth.

• Infrastructure Projects: Developing transportation and housing infrastructure to support population growth and economic activity.

• Digital Transformation: Leveraging technology to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

Contact Information

• Website: Cheshire East Council Official Website

• Social Media:

• Twitter: @CheshireEast

• Facebook: Cheshire East Council

• LinkedIn: Cheshire East Council

Please note that specific contact details such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses are not provided in this profile.