The government has confirmed Cheshire East Council will receive exceptional financial support of £25.3m, meaning it can set a balanced budget for the next financial year, writes Belinda Ryan.
The cash-strapped council was informed yesterday (Thursday) it had been granted the extra support.
Cheshire East Council will be effectively bankrupt if the government doesn’t approve the use of exceptional financial support by the end of this financial year, the council’s head of finance said.
The council applied for £17.6m of EFS last February because of the projected overspend this financial year.
People in South Cheshire could soon be governed by a new devolved Cheshire and Warrington authority as part of the Government’s devolution priority programme.
The region is one of six which has been approved to go forward under the Government’s plans to restructure local governance.
Cheshire East Council’s bid to increase council tax by almost 10% have been rejected by the government, it emerged today.
The cash-strapped authority had asked the government for “exceptional financial support” and permission to increase the charge by 9.99%.
More than £21 million is to be given to Cheshire East Council to fix the borough’s pothole-ridden roads.
The money is part of a £1.6 billion package of funding from the Government to local authorities around the country.
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.
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