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Hello, Colleague
In this week's Team Voice:
And more news and roundups from around the council.
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Budget prioritisation survey
We’ve launched a budget prioritisation survey to help guide how Cheshire East Council allocates funding 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.
Nearly 70p in every £1 of council tax goes towards adult and children’s social care - vital services that often go unseen but make a real difference in people’s lives. From supporting vulnerable families to maintaining roads and parks, every pound spent is a choice.
We are asking residents to share their views to help shape future decisions. The feedback you gave last year influenced the 2025 budget- and now we need your voice again.
Please complete the survey by 5pm on Thursday 30 October.
Celebrating National Customer Service Week
We're celebrating National Customer Service Week – a chance to recognise the dedication, empathy and excellence shown by colleagues across the council. Every day on Centranet, we're sharing activities, video clips and other resources for you to check out.
Thursday is all about you, the people behind great customer experiences. We’re celebrating how empowered teams drive service excellence by focusing on wellbeing, training, and growth. When you feel supported and inspired, our customers feel it too.
On Centranet, try out a five-minute chair yoga session or learn how to develop your listening skills - 'a superpower in the workplace'.
Cheshire Pension Fund webinars
The Cheshire Pension Fund will be hosting a series of webinars throughout October:
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I'm new to the fund - what do I need to know?
- Mid-life MOT – what do I need to do next?
- Thinking of retiring – find out how to prepare.
Whatever your situation, the webinars will help you to understand, plan, and be actively ready for retirement - in two, 20 or 40 years’ time.
The webinars are limited to 350 spaces per subject and are on a strictly first come, first served basis.
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The Run: new fostering film launches this week
We are proud to be part of The Run, a powerful new fostering awareness film.
The film follows 11-year-old Tom, whose passion for running reflects his journey from a difficult home life to finding support and stability with his new foster carers. It’s a moving reminder of the difference fostering can make. Please take the chance to watch and share this film.
Interested in fostering or know someone who might be? Visit foster4.co.uk/cheshire-east, call 03456 460098, or email enquiry@foster4.co.uk.
Don’t forget - we are a now Fostering Friendly employer, making the workplace friendlier for foster carers to benefit the children in their care.
Staff Survey – opening 20 October
If you joined us at the Tatton Park staff events last month, you would have heard Gareth Sayers, our head of organisational development and culture, talk about the upcoming launch of our new People Strategy, our refreshed values, and how we’ll be continuing to positively engage with staff over the coming years.
Gareth also mentioned the upcoming staff survey - an important opportunity for everyone to help shape the kind of council we want to be.
Our next staff survey is your chance to confidentially share your experience of working at Cheshire East Council, give feedback and put forward ideas. It’s vital we hear from as many of you as possible so we understand what’s important to you and any areas where we can improve.
Please note the start date and spread the word!
Senior leadership update
Tom Moody, director of transport and infrastructure, will be leaving the organisation in early December to join East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) as their new director for transport.
Tom joined Cheshire East Council in summer 2022 and has led major transport and infrastructure programmes across the borough.
Tom said:
“This decision has not been made lightly. It has been a privilege to lead the transport and infrastructure portfolio, particularly during such a transformative period.
“I am proud of the progress we’ve made; from advancing the devolution agenda and delivering key elements of Crewe 360, to reshaping the Local Transport Plan and driving forward the capital programme at a very challenging time.”
Phil Cresswell, executive director for place, said:
“We thank Tom for his valuable contribution since he joined the council, which includes his leadership on the Local Transport Plan – a key strategic document for the authority – and the securing of Department for Transport funding for the Middlewich Eastern Bypass.
“I have congratulated Tom on his new role, and I am very sure he will be equally as successful at EMCCA.
“I am sure everyone will join me in wishing Tom all the very best for the future.”
Interim arrangements will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
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Fire evacuation reminder – Delamere House
If you work in Delamere House, please take a moment to review the updated fire evacuation procedure and complete the ‘Fire safety’ e-learning on Learning Lounge as soon as possible.
Floor-by-floor evacuation simulations are now underway, It’s important you know what to do to safely evacuate the building – whether it’s a real emergency or a planned drill. Full details, including scheduled simulation dates, are available on Centranet.
We share building-specific updates through our Delamere House and Macclesfield Town Hall newsletters. If you work in either building, please make sure you’re subscribed – and encourage your team members to sign up too, especially if they’ve missed recent updates.
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World Mental Health Day – this Friday
10 October marks World Mental Health Day.
This year’s national theme is ‘Access to Services’ – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies. It highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health, whatever challenges they’re facing, because everyone deserves good mental health.
Let’s make mental health in the workplace everyone’s business.
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Neurodiversity in the workplace
We’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all colleagues. You'll find new guidance on Centranet which lays out practical ways we can support neurodivergent colleagues at work.
You can access help and support from our Differently Abled staff network. We also invite staff to complete the neurodiversity training available on Learning Lounge. Co-produced with colleagues from the Differently Abled staff network, this learning package aims to increase awareness and promote inclusion across the council.
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Celebrating British Romanichal heritage at Sound Common
On Monday (6 October), a powerful moment of recognition and remembrance unfolded at Sound Common, Nantwich, as a commemorative plaque was unveiled to honour the British Romanichal families who once called the site home.
The unveiling marked the beginning of a landmark day celebrating the resilience, culture, and heritage of the Romanichal community through the Atchin Tan Heritage Project – a film premiere and immersive exhibition hosted by Pride of Romany.
Supported by Cheshire East Council and Historic England, the event shone a light on the stories of Romany families who lived on Sound Common for generations before their forced removal in the 1960s. The plaque, unveiled in a moving morning ceremony led by community elders, Historic England representatives, and local councillors, stands as a permanent tribute to their legacy.
Protective security advice for places of worship
Our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by the shocking attack at Heaton Park Synagogue last week.
Counter Terrorism Policing North West have shared practical advice and steps that places of worship can take to both feel reassured and play an active role in keeping themselves and our communities safe, following last week’s attack in Manchester - please share this information with any places of worship in Cheshire East among your network.
If you have been affected by this incident, please do raise any concerns with your line manager, or access our Employee Assistance Programme for support.
If you have any immediate concerns about safety to yourself, or to the people you work with, please raise them with your line manager and review related risk assessments. In any situation where there is any immediate danger to life, or someone is using violence, or is threatening to be violent, call 999.
Spot the Phish – don’t get hooked
We’re continuing to share simple tips to help you stay cyber safe.
Cyber threats don’t just target big organisations – they target people. That’s why every one of us plays a vital role in keeping Cheshire East Council safe.
Phishing is when hackers and criminals try to trick you into doing the wrong thing - like clicking a link or opening an attachment that installs malicious software or takes you to a fake website.
These scams can affect anyone, and they often arrive by email.
Top tips to stay safe
- Check the sender’s email address - does it look legitimate?
- Look out for spelling mistakes, poor grammar, or unusual links.
- Don’t click links or open attachments from senders you don’t recognise.
- Never share sensitive information like usernames and passwords over email.
- Use the ‘Report’ button in Outlook to flag suspicious emails.
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Get ‘In the Know’
On Wednesday 5 November, Brian Reed, head of democratic services, will provide an overview of the council’s upcoming switch from a committee model of decision making to a cabinet model. Then, on Thursday 20 November, join assistant chief executive Karen Wheeler for an update and overview of the Transformation and Improvement Plan
Plus: Estate planning with the Will Guys and shared cost voluntary contributions with My Money Matters.
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Have your say on our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy
Homelessness is a complex and deeply personal issue that affects individuals and families across Cheshire East. We are consulting on our draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, which outlines how we will work with partners to prevent homelessness and support those already affected.
The strategy builds on the work already under way - including the Rough Sleeping Prevention Service, which has supported 79 people in the south of the borough since April, with 19 already moving into longer-term housing. A similar service has just launched in the north and is expected to deliver equally positive outcomes.
The strategy reflects the work of teams across the council and we encourage colleagues to take a moment to engage with our consultation.
Thank you to all colleagues involved in this vital work.
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It’s Kinship Care Week
Kinship Care Week (6-12 October) is a national week of awareness, recognition, and celebration of kinship families across England and Wales.
It’s a time to shine a light on the vital role of kinship carers - those raising a child of a family member or a friend - who provide over 141,000 children in England and Wales with loving and stable homes.
This includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and family friends - who step up in extraordinary ways to keep children connected to their families, roots and communities.
Kinship Care Week reminds us that there is a powerful community of kinship carers who share their experiences in many different ways to help other kinship carers feel less lonely and isolated.
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Carol ditches her stick thanks to Active Lives
Before starting the Active Lives programme, Carol said that her health and fitness weren’t good – she rated them about 4/10. She had pain in her legs and took a walking stick with her wherever she went.
Following the programme, Carol has better movement, less pain and hasn’t used her stick in the last month! She has lowered her blood pressure, reduced her weight and waist size and increased her physical activity time. Carol has continued as an Everybody member so she can continue to keep active and improve on her health and fitness.
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You’ve made 158 days brighter!
You’re all back from summer with a bang – and then some! A fantastic 158 nominations were made through our Made my Day scheme in September, showing just how much appreciation you all have for one another.
Many of this month’s shout-outs celebrated brilliant collaboration and lots of ‘thank yous’ to colleagues who helped deliver the all-staff events and World Café at Tatton Park with energy and enthusiasm. These small acts of acknowledgement show your colleagues how much their hard work means to you, and they only take a few minutes.
Let’s keep the momentum going – who will you nominate next?
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New tools help you manage and edit PDF documents
It’s easier than ever to manage PDF documents, with new tools within OneDrive Web and SharePoint.
These features are available when you open a PDF in your browser using Microsoft Edge, and they’re designed to help you work more efficiently—whether you're editing, securing, or sharing files.
On Lighthouse, find out how to password-protect your PDFs, create new documents using just the pages you need and combine multiple PDFs or selected pages into one document.
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Staff achievements and updates
Does your team have a story or achievement to share? We are looking for case studies and stories that we can celebrate internally and possibly externally – to showcase the great work we do for residents.
If you think you have something we can share, please get in touch with us: internalcomms@cheshireeast.gov.uk
CEAT team fundraiser
Cheshire East Autism Team will be undertaking the National Autistic Society’s 100 Miles Challenge to support autistic children and adults.
Service manager Joan Sherry says:
“We’re off again! Emboldened by our success walking for autism during Autism Awareness Month last year [pictured above], we have decided to up our game and take on the 100-mile challenge.
“Six members of the team will each walk 100 miles during October to raise money for this worthwhile cause. Other team members who can’t commit to the full distance will be walking with us when they can throughout the month.
“Taking part are Sue Scarle (our veteran member who is always up for a challenge!) and Michael Wozencroft-Reay - alongside three of our newest team members, Claire Terry, Karen Flannery and Roddy Black. And I will be limping along at the rear!
“If you see us around, please give us a word of encouragement. If you have some pennies to spare, you can visit our Just Giving page.”
Ken’s 'dartathon' for MacMillan Cancer Support
Ken Gallimore, bin deliveries operative, will take on 12 hours of dart throwing in honour of his late wife Kay (pictured) and in support of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Ken explains:
"Macmillan Cancer Support provided us with incredible care, compassion, and guidance during Kay’s illness. Their support made a world of difference during one of the most difficult times in our lives, and I’m determined to give back in any way I can.
“This dartathon is my way of saying ‘thank you’ - to honour Kay’s memory and to help ensure Macmillan can continue supporting other families in need. If you’re able, I would be truly grateful for your sponsorship. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help make a meaningful impact. Thank you so much for your kindness and support".
Ken will be taking on the challenge on Saturday 18 October, from 12pm-12am.
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Staff ticket offer: Uptown Girl at Crewe Lyceum
Crewe Lyceum have an exclusive two-for-one ticket offer for Uptown Girl, The Billy Joel Collection, on Wednesday 5 November.
Is someone in your life a Billy Joel fan? Be sure to ‘Tell Her About It’ and you can both come ‘Just the Way You Are’.
Featuring hits like ‘An Innocent Man’, ‘New York State of Mind’ and ‘She’s Always A Woman’, this two-hour staged concert celebrates the legacy of the ‘Piano Man.’
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Young Employee Network - volunteering day
The steps before and after the volunteers' hard work
Last Friday (3 October) the Young Employee Network rolled up their sleeves and braved Storm Amy to use one of their two annual volunteering days—and what a day it was!
Ten enthusiastic members headed to Riverside Park in Macclesfield, joining our countryside ranger team to tackle an overgrown pathway and make it more accessible for everyone. They even installed two brand-new steps, designed to improve drainage and ensure safer access, especially throughout the winter months.
Armed with a variety of tools, over 10,000 steps walked, and a whole lot of teamwork, the group left with muddy boots and a real sense of achievement - knowing they’d made a tangible impact on the local community.
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We'd love to hear from you!
If you have a story, any team news, or an update you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you.
Email: internalcomms@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Don't forget, you can also follow us on social media
Beyond your regular Team Voice newsletter, you can keep up to date with our news and updates on social media - particularly useful if you're also a Cheshire East resident.
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
We'll see you there!
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Was everything in this issue clear?
If you have any questions or if there’s something we could explain better, just let us know.
Get in touch at: internalcomms@cheshireeast.gov.uk
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