Leader hails council system change 'a big step forward'

The leader of Cheshire East Council has hailed a key move to change the way it makes its decisions as a "big step forward".

The authority has returned to a cabinet and leader model after spending five years making decisions through a series of committees.

The government is planning to abolish the committee system for councils, although most authorities already use the cabinet and leader system.

Labour's Nick Mannion was speaking after his re-election as leader of the authority, facing down a challenge from the Conservatives who put forward their group leader Stewart Gardiner for the position.

Mannion received 38 votes, Gardiner received 34 and three councillors abstained.

In nominating Mannion to be re-elected, independent group leader Michael Gorman said he had "consistently demonstrated" the qualities the council needed.

"First and foremost, Nick understands this council and the communities we serve, and has a proven track record," he said.

Mannion said over the last 12 months the council's financial position had "stabilised" and the authority was now set to use less exceptional financial support (EFS) than expected.

EFS is a system which allows councils to borrow to cover their day-to-day spending, provided they receive approval from the government.

Cheshire East Council has been given permission for EFS for the last three financial years.

However, despite that extra support, Mannion said the council needed to "continue to think differently about how we deliver and what we deliver".

He also described the cabinet system as a "welcome return" and a "big step forward" after using the committee system since 2021.

At the same meeting, the council also swore in councillor Judy Snowball as mayor for 2026/27 and Rob Moreton as deputy mayor.

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