£1.35 million cost of Cheshire East Councillors allowances

The local taxpayer’s bill for Cheshire East councillors’ allowances and expenses was just under £1.35m last year which represents an increase of £14,930 on the total for the 2012/13 financial year.

Included within this is £914,970 for basic allowances, as each elected Member of the Borough Council receives a sum of £11,200 per annum. This is paid monthly in arrears and includes an amount to cover the cost of telephone calls made in the course of Council business.

Special responsibility allowances came to £352,000. Council Leader Michael Jones received the highest special allowance of £28,000, with Deputy Leader David Brown receiving £16,800 and £14,000 for other members of the Cabinet.

The amount claimed by elected members for travel and subsidence totalled £78,700 with Councillor Bill Livesley (Bollington) claiming the highest amount of £4,324 and Leader Michael Jones claiming £4000.

Details of allowances paid to all elected members during the period April 1st 2013 to March 31st 2014 are available on the Cheshire East Council website.

It shows the amounts paid for basic allowance, special responsibility allowances, dependants’ carers’ allowance, travel and subsistence allowances, and co-optees’ allowance.