Alsager district councillor, Rod Fletcher, says he hasn't yet decided how he will vote in a motion of no confidence in the two leaders of Cheshire East Council.

He says the vote, due to take place on Wednesday (25 February) shouldn't be political and whatever he decides will be in the "best interests of the people of Cheshire East".

And he has questioned whether a change of leadership is of benefit to Cheshire East Council taking into account its financial struggles.

Cllr Fletcher said: "The way the leadership of Cheshire East Council dealt with the Adlington New Town consultation was unacceptable but they have now apologised.

"Is a change of Leadership going to benefit Cheshire East residents at a time when the Council is struggling financially, mainly due to the Conservatives not increasing Council Tax for five years and running the Council Reserves to a dangerously low level when they ran Cheshire East.

"Also the Council is being forced to change from a Committee system back to a Leader and Cabinet model this coming May. My concerns are for the 400,000 residents of Cheshire East and the best way to oppose the Adlington new town proposal.

"The Labour/Independent coalition have a majority on the Council. The Conservatives only have 33 of the 82 Councillors.

"I have yet to decide how I will vote in the motion of no confidence but will do so in what I personally believe to be in the best interests of the people of Cheshire East."

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Local Conservatives have submitted a motion proposing a vote of no confidence in council leader Nick Mannion and deputy, Michael Gorman as we revealed here

The motion reads: "This council no longer has confidence in the leader or the deputy leader to undertake their duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Nolan Principles and in the interest of the residents of Cheshire East.

"Therefore, we call upon them to resign in accordance with the provisions set out in the council's constitution."

The motion continues, explaining that there are three specific issues that have led to the proposed vote of no confidence.

First is the letter the two councillors sent to the New Towns Task Force, appearing to show support for the Adlington new town plans.

Secondly, Conservatives feel they have 'failed to deliver the transformation required by the Peer Review in a timely manner'.

Finally, the motion states that the duo have let the council's finances deteriorate, meaning the budget can only be balanced by borrowing.

Councillors Mannion and Gorman have responsed to the motion saying: "This is the meeting that sets the council's budget for 2026-27 and this motion is both disappointing and an unnecessary distraction from the important business on the agenda.

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"We will continue to get on with the job we were elected to do and deliver the vital services needed by our residents and businesses in the borough."

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