Financial sustainability
Securing our long‑term financial sustainability is a core priority.
We are facing significant financial pressures, and it is essential that we keep spending within the resources available over the medium and long term. Our focus is on keeping the council’s finances stable, reducing reliance on short-term or exceptional financial support, and building a more resilient position for the future.
This work focuses on delivering realistic and sustainable savings, improving how we plan our finances, and making sure spending and investment decisions are affordable and based on evidence. We are taking a disciplined approach, prioritising changes that tackle the main cost pressures facing the council and that can be delivered with confidence.
Financial sustainability is not about short-term fixes. It means making informed decisions now to keep our finances stable, improve value for money, and make sure public funds are used responsibly. Oversight and scrutiny are in place to make sure savings are achievable and risks are managed.
By focusing on financial sustainability, the council is laying the foundations for a more stable and resilient future, so it can continue supporting communities and delivering essential services in the years ahead.
Programmes and projects under this priority include:
- Modernising delivery – improving how services are run and how residents contact us through the Resident Experience and Modern Workplace projects
- Enabling communities – supporting local areas and helping people stay healthy and safe
- Adults social care transformation – helping adults live well and access the right support through Prevent, Reduce, Enable and Learning Disabilities projects
- Place transformation – looking at the buildings we own (Corporate Landlord), Tatton Park and third party spend
Budget management will form part of each budget holder’s Personal Development Review and will be discussed regularly in one-to-one meetings.
After the budget is set in February 2026, each budget holder will sign a statement confirming they understand their budget, will not overspend, and will take action to stay within it. Compliance will be monitored and reported to senior leaders through the performance review process.
All elected Members will receive finance training (with the LGA) to support them in understanding their roles and responsibilities, particularly in a financially challenging context.
Finance training will also be provided to officers. This will include sessions for non-finance managers, access to LGA learning resources, and inclusion in all new starter inductions.
Strong financial governance and management will be in place to improve financial control and leadership, supporting the council to become financially sustainable in line with the Financial Leadership Improvement Plan. The finance team will be trained and developed to support the council’s progress out of Exceptional Financial Support.
- Unit4/Enterprise resource planning
The Financial Planning and Analysis module in Unit4 has been re-implemented and is now in use. Following training, its use will become mandatory from December 2026 and will support improved budget management.
Further improvements to Unit4 will allow it to link more effectively with other systems, such as social care. This will enable information to flow automatically, reducing manual work and improving accuracy.