Best Value Notice

July 2026

MHCLG has issued a revised Non-Statutory Best Value Notice to Cheshire East Council.

Since the original Notice was issued in May 2025 (below), MHCLG has recognised the senior team’s constructive engagement, and early signs of improvement. This includes the move to a Cabinet model of governance, improvements in Children’s Services as recognised by Ofsted following their April 2026 visit, and our commitment to improving our medium-term financial position.

However, while we have made some positive progress in recruiting senior officers, we still have work to do to establish a strong and stable leadership team. We also have to continue our urgent work to improve financial sustainability.

The Council fully appreciates and understands the scale of the challenge that remains and will continue to liaise with MHCLG, DfE, Children’s Improvement Board, LGA and our Assurance Panel to ensure we deliver the improvements required for the Notice to be withdrawn.

Best value notice issued to Cheshire East Council 15 July 2026 (PDF, 186KB)

May 2025

The council has received a letter from Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, issuing a non-statutory Best Value Notice.

This means that the government requires further assurance of the council’s ongoing improvement and work towards financial sustainability.

The letter states that councils are expected to continue leading their own improvement and are requested to engage with the department for assurance of this.

Cheshire East Best Value Notice (PDF, 2MB)