Dear Sir/Ma’am,
I have been questioning the fiscal competence of Cllr Sam Corcoran’s so called 4-year balanced budget for 3 years, I’ve been highlighting the lack of scrutiny and good governance at Cheshire East for the last 5 years and I have been calling for the former Council leader’s resignation for almost a year. Last Wednesday, 17/7/24, following the publication of a damning Independent Peer Review, Cllr Corcoran announced his resignation, choosing to jump before being pushed.
He leaves in his wake a failed corporate plan, an anticipated £100million deficit and a council bereft of democratic debate or indeed, a full complement of staff. Perhaps now we’ll hear the reasons why, in my opinion, so many valued staff have left. Could it be that their warnings of the impact of poor political decision making was falling on deaf ears, and they were left with no choice? Could it be that their professional advice was ignored? Or is it associated with the remarks from recommendations 3, 5, 6, 10, 14, and 16 made in the Local Government Association Peer Challenge Review. Published 8/7/24 cheshire-east-corporate-peer-challenge-final-issued-report.pdf (cheshireeast.gov.uk).
Each of these recommendations refers to the need for improved “behaviours”, “culture”, “scrutiny”, “governance”, “training” and refreshing of “The Brighter Futures Program”. Back in 2018 it was my role to implement the Brighter Futures Program and it was a challenge I relished. The program was designed to develop trust between colleagues, enable honest and frank communication, and by doing so ensure everyone within the organisation would have their voice heard.
It saddens me that the work instigated by the Conservative group 6 years ago has been firstly neglected, and then so casually abandoned by Cllr Corcoran. Going forward, I hope that the new Leader of Cheshire East will invest not just money but also time, thoughtfulness and respect into the people who work for our council because they are the engine and the heart of Cheshire East Council.
Cllr Liz Wardlaw, Odd Rode Ward
