As your MP for Tatton, I want the best for our area and I will always work constructively with councils regardless of political make up and work with other MPs, cross party, to achieve that.

I will not criticise for the sake of party politics but will do so when I believe my constituents deserve better.

That is the case at Cheshire East Council – one of three councils covering different parts of my constituency.

The Labour-led council, propped up by Independents, is now run by Labour councillor Nick Mannion after he took over last month from Sam Corcoran who resigned (after five years leading) ahead of a no confidence vote.

Things must change. The council has failed residents, with its incompetence, lack of management and scrutiny.

There has been a catalogue of failings but most recently a peer review report from the Local Government Association has warned the council is at risk of effective bankruptcy if it does not take quick action.

The report said some staff and councillors were 'seemingly comfortable' with the financial position.

It was criticised for working in silos and for the lengthy and complicated committee reports, making it hard for people to scrutinise and hold decision making to account.

I have warned repeatedly about the failings at the council including financial mismanagement and so while I was horrified reading this report, I was not shocked, as it backed up the concerns I’d raised.

It is shocking how the organisation is run. Recently we also found out that Cheshire East lets staff use charge cards without any audit of spending. I must be clear - I am not suggesting any staff misused the card in any way – but surely it is obvious there should be an audit trail on spending, without it there can be no proper financial oversight.

Money is also wasted due to sloppy contracts. The last Conservative government promised and delivered millions of extra investment for pot holes, which was money diverted from scrapping HS2, and I want every penny spent on repairs – not a penny wasted on putting right inadequate repairs.

However, Cheshire East has no requirement in its contracts, with the external companies it uses for pot hole repairs, for these companies to make good a repair if it is deemed inadequate, meaning money is spent twice.

The Labour-led council has also imposed a green bin tax on residents, closed waste recycling centres, has reduced library hours – and wants to cut them further. These are just some examples, sadly there are many more.

Entire departments at the council are failing. Children’s Services was rated as 'inadequate' and 'requiring improvement' in many of the assessed areas just a few months ago. The failings are endless.

Residents deserve better. Whatever the leadership at the council I will continue to hold it to account and seek the answers my constituents want and deserve.

Changes need to start now with better financial oversight and better management of contracts so we deliver the best possible service to residents.

While the former Labour leader has fallen on his sword this in itself isn’t good enough without institutional change at Cheshire East Council.

In response to the column, a Cheshire East Council spokesman said: “The council has embarked on an ambitious improvement programme as discussed at the full council meeting in July.”