Vale Royal mayor claims new Cheshire West council members are ‘lining pockets’

THE mayor of Vale Royal has slammed the Cheshire West shadow authority over members’ allowances.

Lib Dem Cllr Malcolm Gaskill said his party is refusing to back the new authority’s bid for borough status because taxpayers’ money will be lining councillors’ pockets.

He said: “This administration is threatening job cuts and streamlining services whilst paying themselves large sums in extra allowances.”

Councillors will get a basic allowance of £9,800 a year but can tot up more by taking on extra responsibilities.

In Cheshire East, councillors get just one extra payment irrespective of how extra responsibility.

“This is the same system which is approved of and used by over 90% of unitary authorities across the UK – including Vale Royal,” said CllrGaskill.

“I believe one special responsibility allowance per councillor should be the limit,” he said.

“The administration would prefer the public not to know about these things.

“How about asking your councillors how much of your hard earned taxes they will be taking in extra allowances next year? If they won’t tell you give me a call.”