DIFFICULT DECISIONS AHEAD

A warning of difficult decisions came today (Wed June 22) from Cheshire East Council Leader, Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald.

Speaking after Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, MP, delivered his first budget, Councillor Fitzgerald said: “This Council is fully supportive of Central Government during this nationally-difficult situation. We understand and support completely the need for rigorous economic action.

“Cheshire East Council must find additional savings of £3.8million, which is less than half a percent of our total annual spend. The majority of these savings will be made in areas where the Government gave grant aid.

“However the Government recognises that local authorities know their areas and the needs of the residents best, so we will now consider carefully every national decision to judge effectively its impact at a local level.

“However, here at Cheshire East, we are already ahead of the game in many ways. This Council was formed in order to streamline processes, bring about transformation and save money. We have been actively doing this for the last 15 months, with excellent results, and so are in an excellent position to meet this new and rigorous challenge.

“Many of our policies and future plans are already in line with Government thinking, which makes the job that much easier. We are on the right track and what we now need to do is accelerate what was already planned.”