By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has joined the county’s two others in asking to be included in the government’s priority programme for devolution.
The councils’ leaders have written to Local Government and English Devolution Minister Jim McMahon saying they want to formally open conversations about potential new powers and funding Cheshire and Warrington could receive if it goes ahead with devolution.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East councillors have approved the use of the £17.6m Exceptional Financial Support from the Government – despite one fearing it may impoverish future generations with loans that won’t solve the situation.
Dear Editor,
This week the Government released its Get Britain Working Again white paper, including measures such as stopping the benefits of young people who don’t take up work or training opportunities, alongside support to address barriers such as mental health issues.
The Government has set aside £2.2 million of household support fund for families in need in Cheshire East.
The Household Support Fund was due to end in September but has now been extended until 2025.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East is meeting with government next month for talks about a possible devolution deal with Cheshire West & Chester and Warrington – but stressed it must be good for the borough.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has written to all councils encouraging them to enter discussions early so the government can devolve new powers over transport, skills, housing, planning and employment support.
New Crewe and Nantwich MP Connor Naismith has raised concerns about the future of Leighton Hospital after the Chancellor’s announcement this week.
Rachel Reeves said on Monday that a number of Tory projects would have to be shelved due to what she called a £20 billion budget blackhole.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East has been refused access to a government support scheme to help its ballooning special needs budget deficit.
The deficit looks set to be an eye-watering £285 million by 2031, despite mitigation measures.
Dear Editor,
The Government get a lot of unfair criticism, but they have policies which should appeal to everyone irrespective of their views.
If you want economic growth, they say they do too, but if you don’t, you’ll be reassured that in reality the economy is flatlining.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is to receive a £17.6m financial support package from the government after the authority announced it had worryingly low reserves.
The cash-strapped council applied to the government for the exceptional financial support in the form of a capitalisation direction earlier this month.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East is still trying to claw back the money it spent on HS2 after the government scrapped the northern leg of the scheme last year.
The council spent £11m preparing for HS2 coming to Crewe and £8.6m of that will now have to be written off if the government doesn’t cough up.
Cheshire East Council say they are “disappointed” the Government has removed “safeguarding” along the axed HS2 Phase 2a route into South Cheshire.
The Dept of Transport announced last week safeguarding would be lifted, which means land acquired as part of the planned route is no longer protected and could now be sold or potentially developed for other projects.
Cheshire East highways are to receive £110 million over next 10 years to repair the borough’s crumbling road network, the Government has announced.
The money comes from the £1.2 billion set aside for the North West region to resurface the road network, redirected from the now scrapped HS2 rail project.
Cheshire East Council bosses say they are pursuing “fair and equitable” compensation and investment from Government following the decision to scrap HS2 north of Birmingham
CEC politicians are demanding compensation for the loss of an “unprecedented economic opportunity”.
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