Jones – ‘I am proud of the legacy I leave’
MICHAEL Jones has faced a string of controversies in his time as leader but says he is proud of the legacy he leaves.
The former investment banker joined Cheshire East as a councillor for Bunbury in May 2011 and served in the Cabinet from September. He became leader in May 2012, after beating Poynton councillor Howard Murray in the ballot.
As leader he oversaw a string of controversies, all documented by the Express, but says he leaves the council in a better state.
He was on the Cabinet at the time that the council broke its own rules by starting to build a waste transfer station at Lyme Green without planning permission, and oversaw a number of resignations after becoming council leader.
In January 2013 the council was forced to backtrack after Coun Jones claimed that chancellor George Osborne had influenced the decision to keep the HS2 high speed rail link away from his Tatton constituency.
In February 2013 the council came in for criticism after it spent £1,000 on a stall at the Cheshire and Wirral Conservative Conference. Council leader Michael Jones later paid back the £1,000 from his own pocket.
There were calls for his resignation in April 2013 over his revelation in a public meeting that plans for a Tesco Extra store in Macclesfield would be refused before the planning committee had heard the application.
The long-awaited Local Plan was delayed in November 2014 after planning inspector Stephen Pratt said it had serious failings.
In May 2014 Coun Jones apologised after an Easter message released through the council’s press office contained a political message and in January this year Coun Jones refused to resign after it emerged that council staff had posted political tweets on his behalf on his Twitter account. He admitted that lines ‘had become blurred’ but would not issue an apology.
But the leader told the Express he is proud of his legacy.
He said: “I’m very proud of saving Alderley Park and securing many thousands of jobs at Hurdsfield, there are more jobs there than ever before.
“Unemployment is at a record low across the borough and people are living longer.
“We have cut waste rather than services. We are number one in many areas and our schools are number two in the country. Cheshire East is the best place to live and work in the North West. I have been instrumental in making sure HS2 comes to Crewe. The council had a silo mentality when I came in but we have come a long way.”
Coun Sam Gardner, Cabinet member and Conservative councillor for Tytherington, said ‘it’s a great shame’ he’s leaving.
He said: “He really did achieve some great things. Regardless of what people think of his leadership, he’s hugely dynamic and it’s been exciting to be part of.
“There’s a feeling now that the show’s over.”
Coun Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member and Conservative for Audlem, said: “I’ve been the greatest critic of Michael Jones but also his biggest supporter. He has been a visionary but we need stability now.”