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

Key Worker - Young Carers

Essex County Council
Up to £28621.00 per annum
Key Worker - Young CarersPermanent, Full Time£28,621 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of Service - Highways and Transportation

North East Lincolnshire Council
£77,899
We are seeking an exceptional leader to take on the role of Head of Service – Highways & Transportation North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Director of Education

Birmingham City Council
£135,398 to £175,519 (3 days per week on site)
Leading Collaboration. Strengthening Trust. Improving Outcomes Birmingham, West Midlands
Recuriter: Birmingham City Council

Executive Director of Prosperity and Place

East Riding of Yorkshire Council
£148,775 - £159,480
We are seeking an exceptional Executive Director of Prosperity and Place East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152(Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091(Post-Progression)
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Next Steps Team in Durham, a developing and ambitious service that prepares young people in care for indep Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner