FRODSHAM'S new mayor Andrew Dawson has vowed to cut spending after revealing that £66,000 of residents council tax was ‘wasted’ on administration costs.

The 47-year-old Conservative councillor has pledged to clampdown on Frodsham Town Council’s ‘inefficient’ and ‘wasteful paperwork.

He described the council as “a self serving bureaucracy” which is “inefficient” and “wasteful” spending £66,000 of resident's council tax on administration - more than half the £114,704 precept for 2010/2011.

Cllr Dawson has promised to:

Give residents more say on projects, schemes and how money is spent;

New work experience opportunities for young people;

A winter gritting scheme during icy months;

A streamlined and efficient council, with more money invested in the community;

Cllr Dawson who also stands on Cheshire West and Chester Council told The Chronicle: “Frodsham is an excellent town, and there has always been a suggestion that the council is doing a very good job.”

“But Frodsham Town Council brings in about £114,000 in council tax every year, and appallingly it spends more than half of that in funding itself.

“We want to move away from that. We want to take some time out and streamline things. We want to make the council about the people not about the councillors.”

“Frodsham could be even better if there was greater co-operation between organisations and groups. If we can bring these clubs together there would be more of a sense of community spirit.”

With a transformed council dominated by Frodsham First candidates, he is hopeful that his vision will gain unanimous support.

He explained: “I said that we could keep Frodsham moving. It would only need a small amount of money and we could make a massive difference when it matters.

The father-of-three is determined to bring together his passion for community projects and engaging young people with a new work experience scheme.

Cllr Dawson added: “It’s like turning around a ship. It will take years, not days.”

Frodsham's Town Clerk Ian Hope defended the expenditure saying: “The Town Council have reviewed the expenditure over a number of budget meetings.

“You cannot have a town council if you do not have somewhere to meet, or someone to take minutes or insurance, all of these things cost money. If the councillors want to give money to other things they need to raise the money.

“The councillors need to understand that simply by turning up to meetings it is costing money, so we are looking at reducing the amount of times they meet.”