THE Government is keeping a close eye on Cheshire East Council following a year of suspensions, scandals and police investigations, the Guardian can reveal.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has confirmed it is ‘monitoring CEC closely’, after residents’ groups and MPs expressed their concerns.

Meanwhile, Cheshire Police has told the Guardian that its investigation into conduct at the council, which was launched in January 2016, is set to last 'many more months'.

It comes after the police launched a second formal investigation, into the manipulation of air quality management data, while a further two probes are being made by officers regarding a land transfer in Middlewich and the transfer of £70,000 for a car par at Berkeley Academy, in Wistaston.

A spokesman at Cheshire Police said: "Cheshire Police is conducting an ongoing investigation into alleged improper conduct at CEC. The investigation has so far proved to be extremely lengthy and complex, and it is anticipated it will be many more months before a conclusion is reached.

"Recently, a meeting took place with representatives from CEC, who raised their concerns in relation to allegations of manipulated air quality data. Having carefully reviewed all the information, we can now confirm that there are sufficient grounds to proceed with a formal investigation.

"We can also confirm that we are looking into the other two issues raised by CEC concerning a land purchase in Cledford Lane, Middlewich, and grant funding to Berkeley Academy, in Wistaston."

The news comes towards the end of a turbulent year that has seen the suspension of Mike Suarez and Bill Norman, two of the council’s top chiefs, and CEC’s admission that air quality data was deliberately manipulated.

In just the last few weeks, a legal challenge to the local plan has been submitted and CEC has announced it will backdate pay to care workers it failed to pay the minimum wage to.

Today, the Guardian takes a look at the revelations which have rocked CEC and the whole borough, from the perspective of its residents, councillors and MPs.

Meanwhile, Cllr Rachel Bailey, leader of CEC, has moved to reassure residents that she was working to get the council’s house in order.

This week's Guardian is in the shops today.