On 25 February 2026, Cheshire East Council approved a 4.99 per cent council tax increase for the 2026/27 financial year to prevent the loss of essential services in Macclesfield, Cheshire.
Council Leader Nick Mannion described the move as a necessary step because 74 per cent of the council budget is now spent on legally required services that support vulnerable residents. This leaves a smaller amount of money for everyday local priorities such as leisure services and fixing roads, which currently have a 115 million pound repair backlog.
To help balance the budget, the council is seeking 28 million pounds in extra financial support from the central government. Although the government has agreed to take on 90 per cent of the council’s debt related to special educational needs and disabilities, the local authority currently has no savings or reserves left to use.
The Cheshire East Conservative Group opposed the tax rise and called for a vote of no confidence in the council leadership before the meeting. However, the budget was eventually passed with 43 councillors voting in favour and 32 against the plan.
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