Cheshire East Council: local authority assessment
How we assess local authorities
Assessment published: 14 May 2025
About Cheshire East Council
Demographics
Cheshire East sits in the county of Cheshire in Northwest England. It has a population of around 412,458 (Office of National Statistics (ONS) 2023). The borough has a higher-than-average older population. Between 2011 and 2023, the population aged over 75 grew by 41% compared to 28% for the whole of England. The over 65 population projection is estimated to rise by approximately 20% between 2021 to 2030.
The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) ranked Cheshire East 133rd out of 153 local authority areas, making it one of the top 20 most affluent areas of England. However, there are local areas within the borough which rank among the most deprived areas nationally. Most of these areas are in Crewe, with small pockets in Congleton and Macclesfield.
In 2021, ONS data showed 94.43% of the population identified as White. 5.57% of the population identified as being in other ethnic groups (Asian, Black, Mixed and Other), which was lower than the England average of 9.61%.
Cheshire East is a partner of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System (ICS). They are 1 of 9 local authorities who make up one of the largest ICS in England, serving a population of 2.7million people.
The Council was formed in 2009, it is the 3rd largest unitary authority in the Northwest and the 17th largest in the country. It has been under no overall control since 2019, being run by a coalition of Labour, local parties and independent councillors, and led by a Labour councillor. The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Cheshire East. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the Council.
Financial facts
- The Local Authority estimated in 2023/2024 its total budget would be £587,175,000. Its actual spending for that year was £637,660,000, which was £50,485,000 more than estimated.
- The Local Authority estimated it would spend £163,971,000 of its total budget on adult social care in 2023/2024. Its actual spending was £182,490,000, which was £18,519,000 more than estimated.
- In 2023/24 28.62% of the budget was spent on adult social care.
- The Local Authority has raised the full adult social care precept for 2023/24, with a value of 2%. Please note the amount raised through ASC precept varies from local authority to local authority.
- In 2022/23 approximately 3640 people were accessing long-term adult social care support, and approximately 5815 people were accessing short-term adult social care support. Local Authorities spend money on a range of adult social care services, including supporting individuals. No two care packages are the same and vary significantly in their intensity, duration, and cost.
This data is reproduced at the request of the Department of Health and Social Care. It has not been factored into our assessment and is presented for information purposes only.