Council's cost-cutting plan to stave off bankruptcy

Cheshire East Council needs to make up to £91m of savings over the next four years

A local authority in Cheshire is set to sign off a cost-cutting plan to prevent it from needing to declare itself effectively bankrupt.

Cheshire East Council has drawn up a plan to make up to £91m of savings over the next four years.

It will include a “remodelling” of its library provision, changes to waste collection and reviewing the council tax bands of remodelled or extended properties in the area.

The plan is due to be approved at a meeting on 21 August ahead of submission to the government by the end of the month.

A report to councillors said the authority must close a £100m budget gap over the period.

Last month, new leader Nick Mannion said he expected to make decisions that would "not be popular"

“Failure to do so will mean that the council will need to issue a S114 notice, effectively declaring itself bankrupt,” it said.

Other savings are set to be made by reducing the use of high-cost agency staff and by reviewing fees and charges.

The council has brought in a number of cost-cutting measures in recent months, including introducing new parking charges, fees for garden waste collection and the temporary closure of three tips.

It is also currently consulting on reducing opening hours at some libraries.

A report last month warned the council could be facing effective bankruptcy unless changes were made.

It led to the resignation of its former leader, Labour’s Sam Corcoran, who was replaced by Nick Mannion.