Speaking at the authority’s full council meeting, Mr Mannion said the authority was having to cope with “extreme pressures in many areas” but it would “honour” its duties to its most vulnerable residents.
He said it had been a “steep learning curve” since he took over the role and that work was ongoing with the council’s transformation programme.
“The next six to nine months are vital but there will be pain ahead,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the council’s deputy leader, Independent group leader Michael Gorman, said the council needed to “unlock” the area’s potential.
“Local government is an integral part of our democracy and needs to be properly funded and supported,” he said.
“The good news is this administration has a plan, a clear and comprehensive plan to secure the financial stability of Cheshire East.”
The council also signed off a new senior management structure and backed a motion to look at its current system of governance, after introducing a committee system in 2021.
