Cheshire West and Chester councillors have approved a second rise to their own allowances in less than six months, despite concerns over the ‘optics’ in the midst of the cost of living crisis.

The vote means the amount of basic allowance each councillor receives will increase from £13,223 to £14,453-a-year, making it the highest amount of any Cheshire council.

It is the second rise in six months, with an uplift from £12,714 to £13,223 having been approved in December last year. A further rise was postponed at the time until local elections could take place earlier this month.

All councils are required to have a scheme which makes provision for the payment of a range of allowances and expenses to elected members. What is paid is decided by each council based on the recommendations of an Independent Members Remuneration Panel (IMRP), which is made up of people from outside the council.

At a meeting held last night, councillors passed the motion following a 10 minute debate. Addressing members, Shakerley Conservative Cllr Mark Stocks called for a decision to be deferred for at least 12 months, to allow for improvements in the ‘local economic climate’.

He said: “We’ve all been on the doorsteps over many weeks and months and will have come across many residents who are struggling with the cost of living crisis. Many people are struggling to not only heat their homes but also put food on the table, even in what would be  considered affluent areas.

“I personally think as a council trying to set an agenda going forward that we need to listen to people and I don’t think this is the right time for newly elected members, many of whom haven’t severed on a council previously, to have a rise in allowances at this stage.”

But Cllr Mandy Clare (Winsford Dene) of the Winsford Salt of the Earth independent group, said not accepting the rise may prevent people on low incomes or with disabilities from taking up roles as councillors.

She said: “I don’t think this is a huge amount of money, certainly if you’re on a low income it’s not enough to raise children on, so you’ll be depending on benefits to top that up. If you have children and you have to work, being able to do this too is a really tough call.”

A report to the council said the total cost of allowances would be £1.33m, an increase of £147k compared to the previous cost.

Marbury Conservative Cllr Phil Marshall had opposed the previous rise in December and took the opportunity to reiterate his objections.

He said: “I’m still really struggling with this one. I fail to see how this council can comfortably look residents in the eye, suggest that the maximum discretionary rise in council tax was unavoidable on the one hand, but then vote to fund a not insignificant increase to members’ allowances on the other.

"The timing and the optics are all wrong for me.”

Labour Ledsham and Manor Cllr Christine Warner said members did not have to take their increase even if it was voted through, a sentiment echoed by council leader Louise Gittins who said some councillors too were struggling with the cost of living crisis.

She said: “Somebody has spent a lot of time putting these recommendations together, I would urge councillors to support it and then use your own conscience afterwards to decide whether or not you’re going to take it.”

The vote was passed by majority.