Help shape Cheshire East’s budget priorities

Cheshire East Council is asking residents to take part in its budget prioritisation survey – to help shape how every pound is spent in the years ahead.

Just like any household, the council must balance its budget – planning for both best and worst-case scenarios. While the current forecast shows a manageable gap of £3.1m by March 2026 (less than one percent of the total £427m budget), next year’s gap could rise sharply to £33m.

This is driven by increasing demand for services and inflationary pressures.

Councillor Nick Mannion, leader of Cheshire East Council, said:

“Every pound we spend is a choice. We’re committed to making those choices transparently and responsibly.

“The budget we agreed in February 2025 was shaped by your feedback – and now we need your views again to help guide the tough decisions ahead.”

Councillor Michael Gorman, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said:

“We know that residents care deeply about the services we provide – from roads and bins to parks and libraries. But when demand for care rises, people come first.

“Social care isn’t optional – it’s a legal duty and a lifeline for many. Understanding local priorities helps us strike the right balance in our budgets.”

A significant portion – nearly 70p in every £1 – of council tax goes towards adult and children’s social care. These services often go unseen by many people but are vital to the wellbeing of our communities. They include carers helping older residents start their day, social workers ensuring children are safe and supported and specialist staff teaching life skills to adults with learning disabilities.

Council tax also helps fund transport for young people, who need support getting to school, whether it's unsafe to walk or they have special educational needs. Additional funding from other sources is used to support statutory and post-16 education.

These services prevent crises, keep people safe at home and protect the most vulnerable. Without them, families would struggle, hospitals would be overwhelmed and lives could be at risk.

The council continues to invest in essential infrastructure and does receive some funding grants for maintenance works, such as road resurfacing, which residents may have seen being done across the borough. But visible fixes – like pothole repairs – may take longer, as resources are prioritised for care.

Do you think the council has its priorities right? Residents are encouraged to complete the budget prioritisation survey, before 5pm on 30th October.

Your feedback will help councillors make informed decisions about how to allocate money and plan for the future.

The council will be carrying out a more-detailed budget consultation exercise with residents and communities, to give them the opportunity to give their views on specific spending proposals to be included in the budget for 2026-27 and medium-term financial strategy for the next four years. This will include opportunities through a new community assembly, which will meet in person as part of our commitment to improving our commitment to improving our approach to engagement with residents.