Cash-strapped Cheshire East Council has submitted its “transformation” plan to the central government, which it said was not just about cuts but about changing how the council worked.
The “comprehensive” plan, approved at a meeting of the council’s Corporate Policy Committee on 21st August, represents “an important milestone in the council’s journey,” the council said.
The council has previously been told it has “no option but to transform the way it delivers its services” and that “there is not an option to do nothing”.
In the absence of any action, the council would not have enough money to meet its statutory requirements, which could lead to a so-called bankruptcy, the issue of a s114 report, which means that no new expenditure is permitted, with the exception of statutory services.
The plan outlines how the council faces “significant” challenges, including the need to reduce spending by £100m over the next four years. It recognises that this will require “substantial change” and additional capacity to deliver many of the “opportunities” identified, the council said.
The council has set aside £3 million to find the change, which itself will have to be funded by savings.
“Successful delivery of this plan will lead to a financially stable organisation with improved outcomes for residents,” it said.
However, the aim is not just to allow the council to address its four-year funding gap of £100m but to Invest in digital technologies to allow council services to adopt technology to help its processes, and develop a more flexible workforce.
“Deep dives” were made into various service areas to explore the changes that could be made, including early intervention and preventing, saving money further down the line; strategic asset management and economic growth; becoming a digital first organisation; looking at how adult social care commissioning could be improved, and changes to children’s services.
Six programmes have been identified with many projects underneath them. Over the coming months, the council will develop business cases for these projects “to fully understand the benefits and opportunities that will come from their delivery”.
Coun Nick Mannion, leader of the council, said: “The plan sets out the ambition of how we will radically change over the next four years, spending £100m less, becoming a more cost-effective council.
“It is not just about reduced spending – it’s about making meaningful impact for those who need our services, while addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, while living within our means.
“This will lead to changes in some areas and the council reducing, or even stopping, some services. We simply do not have the money to do everything, everywhere any more.
“As leader of the council, I recognise that transformation on this scale represents a new and difficult challenge for us. The programme will deliver an ambitious and far-reaching portfolio of transformation programmes and projects that address a range of fundamental issues we face in responding to the changing needs and expectations of residents and communities.”
The council’s transformation plan can be found at “Topics in your council: Your Council” at cheshireeast.gov.uk.
