Children and vulnerable adults will remain at the forefront of Cheshire East Council’s work in 2012 said Leader, Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald, in a New Year statement this week.
Sterling work achieved this year in attracting inward investment to the borough’s towns will also continue, he pledged, despite the unprecedented level of economic hardship.
“Austerity is real and is affecting the whole of the country,” he said. “But we are in control of the situation in Cheshire East and I am confident that I and my Cabinet will balance the books for 2011 and bring in a balanced budget for 2012.
“Our first priority will be to ensure that children and vulnerable people continue to receive services they need: this when Cheshire East receives one of the lowest Government grants in the country.
“2011 has seen huge successes for Cheshire East. We’ve had record-breaking GCSE results, more than a 98% pass rate at A level and our SATS figures are among the best in the country,” he continued.
“Our childrens’ services were judged to be performing well by Ofsted with many nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools judged good or outstanding. The scene is now set to improve yet further on these reassuring results.
“A recent report by the Audit Commission placed the Council in the top three nationally for take-up of personal budgets by older people and those with disabilities. We have achieved double the national average. This is a superb result and one which can only continue as more and more people continue to take advantage of the choice they are offered, giving them control over their lives and their needs.
“Our towns too have seen success in 2011. In Crewe, our continued efforts for the town’s revitalisation have brought in the much-needed £16m of Government money for the construction of the essential link road which will unlock the town’s potential, plus a further £6.177m for Crewe Station. Our vision of All Change for Crewe now has the vital ingredients to take this town revitalisation forward with confidence.
“Plans for the regeneration of Macclesfield has energised the whole town. The formation of the Business Economic Forum, the launch of Love Local Life and the high level of public participation in the summer consultations have all proved unmitigated successes, ones on which we will continue to build in the future.
“Our work to attract inward investment is a major priority for Cheshire East. This year has seen millions of pounds in inward investment and new jobs. The foundation on which we will build is strong and in 2012 there will be many more announcements of success.
“We have spent the three years since the Council was formed consolidating our position. It has been hard and some very difficult decisions have had to be made. In streamlining our services, we have been mindful that our decisions affect people’s lives. We are proud that only a handful of compulsory redundancies have had to be made. Instead hundreds of voluntary redundancies have been taken.
“As well as working to bring a new council to its current level of maturity and potential, we are also working hard to allow local people to make local decisions about local issues. We have embraced fully the Localism Bill and our work with town and parish councils continues to thrive as more and more services are passed back to individual communities where better delivery will be achieved. Our work with partners continues to grow and deliver real results. This will continue and be developed further.
“There is a real dynamic for change within the Cabinet and one we are firmly committed to achieving. 2012 will see that achievement. Of that I am confident.
“With this in mind, I wish you all a very happy New Year.”
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