Cheshire East Council is preparing change the way it makes decisions.

In May, the council will end its committee system and move back to a leader and cabinet model of decision making.

The decision, taken at a meeting of full council on September 17 last year, will take effect from the council's annual meeting on Wednesday, May 13.

Under the change, up to 10 cabinet members will have responsibility for policies and decision making in relation to specific areas of council services, such as children and families, or highways and transport.

It follows the government's introduction of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill in July 2025, which includes plans to abolish the committee system, used by a number of councils in England, in autumn 2026.

To avoid confusion part-way through the municipal year, the council has decided to move to the new arrangements at the start of the council year this May.

 Cheshire East Council has described this as a 'positive and proactive measure to ensure it has effective governance processes in place that enable decisions and improvements to be made at pace'.

The move will also streamline current decision-making arrangements and give more time and emphasis to scrutiny, the council claims. 

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