URL: https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3444

Decision Maker: Environment and Communities Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: All committees are being asked to provide feedback in relation to their financial responsibilities as identified within the Constitution and linked to the budgets approved by the Finance Sub-Committee in 2025. Responses to the consultation would be reported to the Corporate Policy Committee to support that Committee in making recommendation to Council on changes to the current financial strategy

Content: The committee received a report on the development of the Cheshire East Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30.   The committee considered proposals for savings and income generation and noted that more savings were needed to address a forecast funding gap of £18.2m for 2026/27.   The committee discussed the approach to household waste recycling centre savings, mobile household waste recycling centre provision, and the need for evidence-based decisions. The committee were updated that savings were primarily due to contract efficiencies and that service changes were based on fly-tipping data and usage evidence. The committee requested that in future, savings for reduction in services versus income are made clear.   Officers committed to providing a written response to confirm that the mobile waste sites are visiting sites that were originally agreed.   The committee raised concerns about consultation items already implemented, such as garden waste charges. Officers agreed to review presentation of these items prior to being published.   The committee queried debt provision and write-off policy. It was confirmed that the Council has a write-off policy in place and can be shared with the committee. Officers committed to provide a written response in relation to the increase in budgeted figure for the next year.     RESOLVED (by majority):   That the Environment and Communities Committee   1. Note the updated budget position for the period 2026/27 to 2029/30 as set out in Table 3.   2. Scrutinise and feedback on the list of Environment and Communities budget savings proposals that are contained in the budget consultation launched in November 2025 as contained in Annex 1.   3. Note the conditions for successful budget delivery, as approved by Corporate Policy Committee on 30 October 2025, which are set out in paragraph 12.

Date of Decision: November 13, 2025