Mark Whitehead 16 February 2024

Cheshire East seeks support to avoid Section 114 notice

Cheshire East seeks support to avoid Section 114 notice image
Image: Singkham/Shutterstock.com.

Cheshire East Council is the latest to request help from the Government to avoid having to declare itself effectively bankrupt.

The authority has asked for an extra £17.6m which it says is needed because of costs related to the cancellation of HS2 and special educational needs.

It said the support would reduce the 'imminent risk' of having to issue a Section 114 notice.

The council has £14.1m in its general reserves, but has warned that it may have to use that money to cover shortfalls and is forecasting a £13m overspend in the current financial year.

In December the Local Government Association warned that almost one in five councils in England thought it was very or fairly likely that they would need to issue a Section 114 notice this year or next due to a lack of funding to keep key services running.

In 2018 Northamptonshire was the first local authority to issue a section 114 notice in two decades, and since 2020 a further seven councils in England have followed.

Cheshire East introduced a number of cost saving measures, including charges for garden waste collections, cuts to library opening hours and a decision to close its headquarters.

But the council is set to face further challenges in its next financial year and is proposing measures including temporary tip closures, cutting staffing costs and asking parish councils to contribute to libraries and leisure services.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker for Children in Care (temp) (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 9 £40,778 - £45,092
Doncaster Children’s Services are looking for a qualified and experienced social worker Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Residential Worker (Casual)

Wakefield Council
£16.62 per hour
Working in one of Wakefield Council’s children’s homes is a chance to change lives and transform your own future. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Housing Needs Panel Coordinator

Wakefield Council
£28,598 - £31,537
Are you passionate about making a difference to our citizens and the district that they reside in? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Service Manager - Regulated Services and CQC Oversight

Wakefield Council
£69,037
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and driven leader to join our Adult Social Care team Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Care Coordinator

Wakefield Council
£32,061 - £34,434
We are looking for a passionate and motivated Care Coordinator to join our Connecting Care Team East. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner