Councillors at Cheshire East Council met on Wednesday 13 May for the authority's annual Mayor Making ceremony and Annual Council meeting, before holding an Extraordinary Meeting later in the day.

One of the key issues debated by the council's 82 members was a review of councillor allowances.

While councillors do not receive a salary, they are paid allowances intended to support them in carrying out their duties.

The proposals followed recommendations from the council's Corporate Policy Committee, which met on 19 March 2026.

The committee suggested increasing both basic and special responsibility allowances by 2.5 per cent for 2024/25 and 3.2 per cent for 2025/26. It was also proposed that the increases be backdated to 1 April 2024.

After debate, the proposal was approved by councillors, with 39 voting in favour, 33 against, and two abstaining.

39 Cheshire East councillors voted in favour of increasing allowances, with 33 against, and two abstaining (Photo: Supplied).

Among those voting against the rise were Cllr James Pratt, (Crewe St Barnabas) and Cllrs Allen Gage (Willaston and Rope).

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Councillor Pratt (Conservative), said: "It seems a strange proposition to vote to essentially give yourself a pay rise.

"Whilst the council is not in a strong financial position, many residents are also balancing their finances with the cost of living.

"It does not seem morally right to award yourself a rise especially with the financial pressures on both the council and residents."

Councillor Gage (non-grouped), told Nub News backdating the increase was 'bizarre'.

He said: "There is no justification for councillors voting to award themselves a basic bonus payout of roughly £1200 each.

"When I first heard this was coming to debate at full council I thought it was a wind up. I still don't think I've heard any reasoned justification explaining why payment is being backdated.

"When you factor in the chairmanships and various other special allowances, it's a backdated cost likely amounting to several hundred thousand pounds, money this cash strapped council doesn't have.

"After the meeting I decided to give whatever I receive to Willaston White Star F.C. They do a great job in the village, especially with youth football. They'll put it to good local use."

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Cllr Pratt also raised concerns about the retrospective nature of the proposal.

"What really concerned me is that this proposal in part also included a backdated rise back to 1 April 2024.

"What's worse is that it also applies to those who are no longer serving councillors."

Councillor Pratt noted former members who would benefit from the backdated payments include MP Connor Naismith and former councillor Ashley Farrall, who previously represented Macclesfield Central on Cheshire East Council.

Farrall was recently sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice in a case relating to domestic abuse.

Councillor Pratt added: "Serving residents and representing the community is a privilege, and I never stood for election because of the money.

"My focus will always be on doing the best I can for local people.

"Like many fellow residents in Crewe, I have bills to pay and I understand the pressures people are facing day-to-day, but I have already been using part of my allowance to support community projects, organisations and local initiatives, and I will continue to do so wherever I can."

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