Title

IMPROVEMENT

Leader resigns after section 114 warning

The leader of Cheshire East Council resigned yesterday ahead of a vote of no confidence after a report raised serious concerns over the council’s finances.

Cheshire East (c) Peter is Shaw 1991/Shutterstock

Cheshire East (c) Peter is Shaw 1991/Shutterstock

The leader of Cheshire East Council resigned yesterday ahead of a vote of no confidence after a report raised serious concerns over the council's finances.

A Local Government Association corporate peer challenge report recently warned it was ‘very likely' the council would have to issue a section 114 notice if it failed to bring about ‘significant change at pace'.

Leader Sam Corcoran told the council an inadequate Ofsted report into the council's children's services had been a ‘particular blow'. 

In 2023-24, the council was forced to use £11m of its reserves to agree a balanced budget and now has to find £20m savings this financial year.

 

IMPROVEMENT

EXCLUSIVE: Herefordshire top hire revealed as Walker walks

By Dan Peters | 01 May 2026

A chief executive who struck a settlement after a row with the authority he used to run is expected to get Herefordshire Council’s top job, The MJ can reveal.

IMPROVEMENT

Just like the weather, councils are rarely stable

By Blair McPherson | 20 April 2026

It is tempting to think the local government system is fundamentally stable, but this is seldom the case, says Blair McPherson. Leadership is learning to lea...

IMPROVEMENT

London is a city becoming increasingly unequal for those raising children

By Indi Miller | 09 April 2026

London’s ‘child-free’ centre is creating an increasingly unequal experience of growing up in the capital, says Indi Miller.

IMPROVEMENT

Reducing reliance on temporary housing

By Naisha Polaine | 26 March 2026

Councils are still placing record numbers into short-term housing, but local authorities like Barnet LBC are now attempting to take back some control, explai...

Popular articles by William Eichler