Introduction
Welcome to the October edition of Core Brief. This briefing includes key information and news that we need everyone across the organisation to understand. |
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Improvement and Transformation Delivery Plan
We have now published our draft Improvement and Transformation Delivery Plan.
We are now at a pivotal moment following the issuing of a non-statutory Best Value Notice in May 2025 by the government and the stark financial challenges we face. The notice requires us to develop and agree a single overarching improvement plan which addresses recommendations from various external reviews and has clear milestones.
Bringing all transformation and improvement plans, as well as the work taking place to deliver the outcomes in the Cheshire East Plan, together under one plan will support clear governance and decision making across all change activities. It will enable us to have strategic oversight, support prioritisation, and improve the consistency of approach to delivery, monitoring and transparent reporting.
We have also taken this opportunity to review our transformation programmes and progress to date in light of the current financial position and in developing this overarching plan. We have revised the transformation programmes to focus our efforts on the most significant and impactful transformation. Some transformation projects have been delivered or are moving into ‘business as usual’ delivery.
Corporate Policy Committee will consider the Improvement and Transformation Delivery Plan at their meeting on 30 October followed by the Assurance Panel on the same day.
Manager Share and Support and In the Know sessions on the Plan are scheduled for November.
Ofsted monitoring visit
Our Ofsted monitoring visit on cared for children and permanence concluded last week and we are now awaiting the final letter of findings which will be published on Thursday 13 November.
The inspectors wanted us to pass on their thanks to everyone they met with, including the young people and the participation workers who made that possible. They said everyone was welcoming, open and honest.
We will share more detailed information with you when the letter of findings is published.
Thank you to everyone for all your hard work. We have been so impressed by how everyone has worked together and supported each other as a team. We know what a huge effort has gone in, not just now, but in all the time since the inspection as part of our children’s services improvement work.
Have your say – Staff survey now live!
Our Culture and Values Staff Survey is open – and we want to hear from you.
This is more than a check-in. It’s your chance to share your experiences, ideas, and hopes so we can understand what it truly means to work here, how our values are lived day-to-day, and where we can grow as one team.
The survey is anonymous, takes just 10 minutes, and can be completed from any device. We’ll share the results openly, celebrating our successes and tackling challenges as one.
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.
Complete the Cheshire East Council Budget Prioritisation Survey 2026/27 by 5pm on Thursday 30 October.
Under the weather? Stay home and protect your colleagues
If you are unwell, and are unable to work, you will need to call in sick. If you feel able to work, but feel you may be contagious, it’s better to work from home until you are 100% if you are able to. If you're unsure whether to come in, speak to your manager or check your symptoms on the NHS website.
And remember, it’s always important to follow safe hygiene practices:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow, not into your hand)
- Bin used tissues as quickly as possible
- Spray and wipe down your desk and any shared equipment after use
- If you are concerned about infection, particularly if you are in a vulnerable group, it is okay to use a face covering.
Let’s look after ourselves - and each other.
Remember - All council-employed staff are eligible for a free flu vaccine to help you stay well this winter – and there are now even more ways to get yours.
Macclesfield Central ward – notice of election
Subject to the election for Macclesfield Central Ward being contested, a by-election will take place on Thursday 20 November 2025.
Polls will open at 7am and close at 10pm, following which the votes will be counted and the result of the election declared.
The council’s resources should never be used for party political purposes. However, the Pre-election Period (PEP) is the period immediately before and including election day, during which officers need to be especially vigilant to avoid any impression that council resources are being used for party political campaigning purposes or that the council is assisting any political party or candidate in their election campaign.
In general, the council conducts 'business as usual' during PEPs, except where it is clear that specific proposals or activities might conflict with PEP considerations in relation to the specific ward affected and election.
The PEP relating to this election will run until close of polls (10pm) on Election Day, Thursday 20 November 2025.
Feedback
If you have any questions, feedback or ideas in response to the items in this briefing, please discuss within your team and with your line management. We share the briefing with senior managers in the organisation ahead of wider distribution so that they can be ready to discuss the content. We will make sure we check in with colleagues throughout the month, across the organisation and at all levels to make sure people are aware of and understand the information shared, and to pick up on any ideas, questions or suggestions.
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