Figures reveal £1.2m in allowances for councillors last year

COUNCILLORS in Cheshire West and Chester received more than £1.2 million in allowances last year.

- BY MARK SMITH

The council's leader also claimed more than £6,000 in travel and accommodation expenses, some of which the council said was for her work as head of the Local Government Association - with the council saying this will be reimbursed.

All councillors in England receive a standard allowance for carrying out their duties, with the amount for each council being set by independent panels.

Each councillor on Cheshire West and Chester receives a basic allowance of £14,453. Some councillors also receive a special responsibility allowance (SRA) for extra work, such as being on the ruling cabinet or holding senior positions on various council boards.