Council blames government over finances

CHESHIRE East's plans to cut costs and become financially sustainable are being scuppered by central government's lack of decision-making which is costing residents money, the council says.

- BY BELINDA RYAN, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

Last month the government issued the council with a non-statutory best value notice, warning that it needs to improve at a quicker pace amid concerns about its financial sustainability and governance.

But at a corporate policy committee at Crewe Municipal Buildings, councillors argued the government's indecision over funding - for projects such as new special schools and the Middlewich Eastern Bypass - was actually costing them money and frustrating their improvement plans.

Cllr Jos Saunders (Poynton, Con) had asked at last Monday's children and families (C&F) committee if the government had yet made a decision on plans to convert the council’s former Westfields HQ at Sandbach into a special school.