New Leader names her Cabinet

The new Leader of Cheshire East Council has named her new Cabinet following her election to the leadership of the 82-member Council.Councillor Rachel Bailey, ward member for Audlem and a member of the  Council since its inception in 2008, was elected Leader at a meeting of full Council on Thursday, (February 25.)

She has been responsible for heading up the task force set up in 2015 to take forward the Council’s Local Plan, which was approved for the next stage of consultation at a meeting of full Council on Friday, (February 26.)

Following her election to the leadership, Councillor Bailey, a dairy farmer, said: “I look forward to serving Cheshire East Council and the residents of Cheshire East.

“I am pleased to be taking over as Leader of this Council, a ‘Residents First’ authority.

“The residents of Cheshire East can be assured that I will take this Borough forward into a new era of growth, transparency and responsibility, while delivering value for money.

“Our schools will continue to be among the best in the country and we will remain committed to low levels of unemployment and youth unemployment, bringing new businesses into the Borough, keeping our communities safe and playing our part in creating a Northern Gateway to the Northern Powerhouse.

“I would like to stress that there are some financial challenges ahead as we continue to see our central government grant allocation diminish year on year but it is my serious intention that we try to minimise the impact of that on our residents.”

Councillor Bailey’s role as Cabinet member in charge of children and families has now been handed to Councillor Liz Durham, ward member for Broken Cross and Upton in Macclesfield.

Another new face in her Cabinet is Councillor Paul Bates (Congleton West), who succeeds Councillor Les Gilbert as Cabinet member for communities and health, including enforcement.

Councillor Janet Clowes has the new portfolio title of adult care and integration, while all other Cabinet portfolios remain unchanged.

The new Cabinet is as follows:

• Leader: Rachel Bailey

• Highways and Infrastructure: Dave Brown (Deputy Leader)
• Housing and Planning: Ainsley Arnold
• Children and Families: Liz Durham
• Adult Care and Integration: Janet Clowes
• Communities and Health: Paul Bates
• Corporate Policy and Legal Services: Paul Findlow
• Finance and Assets: Peter Groves
• Regeneration: Don Stockton
• Leisure and Open Spaces: Sam Gardner