Cheshire East Council is preparing to change how it makes local decisions, with a move to a leader and cabinet model set to take effect on 13 May 2026. This shift will replace the current committee system and marks a return to the governance structure the authority used from its formation in 2009 until 2021.
The decision to change followed a vote on 17 September 2025, where the council voted 57 to seven in favour of the update. Under the new model, the council will empower up to 10 cabinet members to take responsibility for policies and decisions in specific service areas, such as highways, transport, and children and families services.
This change arrives as the council moves ahead of national government requirements. The upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill includes plans to require all councils currently using committee systems to switch to cabinet arrangements by autumn 2026. By acting now, the Cheshire East Council aims to manage the transition before the new rules become law.
The shift follows recommendations from a 2024 review conducted by the Local Government Association. That review included 18 suggestions to improve how the authority operates and specifically advised the council to urgently review its decision-making processes. The report noted that 78 of the council’s 82 councillors were involved in committees, which created a significant administrative burden.
The council has also been working to address ongoing financial challenges, having received a non-statutory Best Value Notice from the government in May 2025 due to concerns about its financial sustainability. In recent years, the authority has required exceptional financial support from the government to maintain its services.
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