Nantwich councillor calls on Cheshire East to share £900,000 “savings”

A Nantwich councillor has called on Cheshire East Council to share a £900,000 annual saving with town and parish councils.

Cllr Arthur Moran believes extra services and facilities taken on by Nantwich Town Council has helped Cheshire East achieve an underspend worth almost £1 million.

Cllr Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East, suggested on Radio Stoke the public may be able to bid for part of the money.

But Cllr Moran said: “Cllr Jones was on the radio saying how well the council has done with its underspend, and making a great play about the council tax freeze as well.

“But it would be nice to see that £900,000 redistributed to the town and parish councils which have taken on so many of their services.

“Since 2011, Nantwich has taken over the Civic Hall, the market, allotments, public toilets, CCTV, town centre tourism and entertainment while still continuing to support the museum, Nantwich Players, First Responders and Nantwich in Bloom.

“This resulted in the town council having to increase its council tax portion by a record amount.

“And although we’ve reduced it, it’s still one of the highest in Cheshire East.”

Independent councillors say they are to submit a motion “deploring” the leader’s invitation to the public to claim part of the £900,000 left over.

Cheshire East Council is in debt to the tune of £127 million, with forecasts to reduce that to £115 million by April 2015.

And despite improvements, the authority is still paying almost £5 million in annual interest charges on its borrowing.

Cllr Brian Silvester, Willaston and Rope ward, said: “The council is a whopping £127 million i debt. It’s madness to be handing out money – pay off your debts first.

“The fact remains we are paying out £5 million a year in interest – that’s about £30 per household!”

A Cheshire East Council spokesman said Cllr Jones or a relevant portfolio holder would respond to any formal motion put forward at an appropriate meeting.