Post Tagged with: "cuts"

Schools could lose catering service amid further Cheshire East cuts

Schools could lose catering service amid further Cheshire East cuts

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The catering service that dozens of schools rely on to feed pupils could be axed amid further cuts planned by Cheshire East Council.

Schools across the borough have different arrangements in place, including some buying back from Cheshire East’s catering service or use another third party provider. Some schools provide lunches themselves.

February 6, 2024
CEC shortfall rises to £18.7 million as more cuts to services likely

CEC shortfall rises to £18.7 million as more cuts to services likely

Cheshire East Council is facing further financial pressures and look set for a potential shortfall of £18.7 million in 2023/24.

This is a massive increase on the forecast deficit of £12.8m published in the first financial review earlier in 2023.

October 31, 2023
Cheshire East Council facing budget deficit of almost £13 million

Cheshire East Council facing budget deficit of almost £13 million

Cheshire East Council is set to report financial pressures of £12.8 million against its 2023/24 budget, latest figures show.

But the authority says savings already identified have reduced this from an eye-watering £26.6m deficit.

September 22, 2023
Nantwich councillors agree to fund half day library opening

Nantwich councillors agree to fund half day library opening

Nantwich Town councillors have agreed to pay £22,000 to keep the town’s library open for an extra half day.

But a debate at last night’s town council meeting descended into a political row over the issue.

September 15, 2023
Nantwich Library to close Fridays and half day Mondays under CEC cuts

Nantwich Library to close Fridays and half day Mondays under CEC cuts

Nantwich Library looks set to be closed every Friday and half a day on Mondays under new service budget cuts proposed by Cheshire East Council.

The details emerged in a letter to Nantwich Town Council from CEC’s director of environment and neighbourhoods.

July 7, 2023
Councillors urge MP on action to stop Cheshire East library cuts

Councillors urge MP on action to stop Cheshire East library cuts

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Two Cheshire East councillors have called on Crewe & Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan to lobby the chancellor for funding to stop library services being slashed.

Cheshire East Council faces a £20m funding gap because of soaring inflation and the increasing pressure on services.

June 21, 2023
CEC councillors approve budget including 4.99% council tax rise

CEC councillors approve budget including 4.99% council tax rise

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East has approved a budget which includes cuts to services and a 4.99% hike in council tax – adding an extra £81.15 to an annual bill for a Band D property.

Council leader Sam Corcoran (Lab) told a meeting of the full council there was no alternative because “central government crashed the economy, local government are having to pick up that”.

February 25, 2023
Public anger aired over CEC plan to reduce library opening times

Public anger aired over CEC plan to reduce library opening times

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East will make ‘substantial savings’ by reducing library opening times, but offering more services could see normal hours restored in the future, a councillor said.

The proposal to reduce the opening hours and to close on Saturdays met with an angry response from the public during the consultation period.

February 25, 2023
CEC councillors’ allowances look set to be frozen in 2023-24

CEC councillors’ allowances look set to be frozen in 2023-24

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East councillors’ allowances are expected to be frozen for the next year as Cheshire East cuts back on its spending.

A recommendation in the budget, which goes to full council on February 22, urges councillors to consider freezing their allowances for the 2023/24 financial year.

February 14, 2023
CEC should sell off old buildings before cutting services, say Tories

CEC should sell off old buildings before cutting services, say Tories

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Tory councillors have demanded to know why Cheshire East Council is not selling off or re-using derelict buildings instead of proposing staff and service cuts.

Members of the children and families committee met to discuss the medium term financial strategy 2023-27 where savings have to be made as the council struggles to balance its books as costs rise, inflation soars and demand on the service grows.

January 20, 2023
Councillor’s warning that Cheshire East Council could “go bust”

Councillor’s warning that Cheshire East Council could “go bust”

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has to make savings and cuts otherwise it will go bust and the government will be called in to run the council, a councillor warned.

Cllr Mark Goldsmith (Ind) was speaking during the debate on the budget at this week’s meeting of the economy and growth committee.

January 19, 2023
Cheshire East Council must find £20 million savings, says leader

Cheshire East Council must find £20 million savings, says leader

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has to find at least £20 million of savings or cuts to services to balance its books in the next financial year.

The harsh reality was spelled out to councillors by leader Sam Corcoran (Lab) at Wednesday’s meeting of the full council.

December 16, 2022
All but essential services face cuts, Cheshire East Council chiefs warn

All but essential services face cuts, Cheshire East Council chiefs warn

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
All but essential services could face cuts as Cheshire East Council tackles unprecedented financial pressures fuelled by soaring costs and increasing demand.

The council’s finance bosses are asking all service committees to draw up an action plan to look at how they can cut costs, do things differently or find ways of increasing revenue.

November 4, 2022