Local representatives have questioned why a cash-strapped council is slashing services but still paying for a mayor.
Cheshire East Council is in dire financial straits, and a number of towns and parishes have their own mayors, prompting a discussion as to whether or not there is still a need to keep the borough mayoralty.
Former Labour councillor James Barber, in 2019, called on the council to consider abolishing the role of the Cheshire East mayor.
A review was carried out, and some changes were made to the role, but ultimately it was retained.
Some councillors now feel it may be time to consider again whether the position is still necessary.
They point out a lot has changed over the past five years – in particular, with regard to the council’s finances.
In addition, if devolution goes ahead, Cheshire and Warrington could have a directly-elected mayor by May next year – although this mayoral role would be very different from that of the borough mayor.
‘Worth the cost?’
One councillor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “There is a feeling among some councillors that the Cheshire East mayor is an unnecessary position in this day and age when the majority of town councils have their own.”
Others felt it was important the mayoralty was retained, however.
Cllr Janet Clowes, leader of the Conservative group, said the role was essential for the administration of full council meetings and for promoting the borough.
“Cheshire East Council may currently be in dire financial straits but the abolition of the mayoralty – endorsed by the Crown at the council’s inception – will not fill the council coffers and its loss will impoverish the civic, the administrative and the charitable status of the whole borough,” she said.
She added: “The role is no sinecure, and the cumulative cost of losing it significantly exceeds the modest cost of its continued important contribution to Cheshire East.”
The LDRS has asked Cheshire East Council how much the mayor costs the council each year with regards to travel and any other expenses – which may be in addition to the £14,566 annual allowance.
The LDRS also asked why Cheshire East Council needed a mayor when nearly every town and village in the borough had one.
A statement on the authority’s website said the office of mayor played a central part in modern councils and modern society.
These included the potholder acting as a symbol of authority and speaking for the whole borough, it said, as well as being a symbol of an open society and an expression of social cohesion – a link between different organisations.
Cheshire East Mayors
A list of Cheshire East mayors, past and present:
- 2024/25 – Councillor Marilyn Houston
- 2023/24 – Councillor Rod Fletcher
- 2022/23 – Councillor David Marren
- 2021/22 – Councillor Sarah Pochin
- 2020/21 – Councillor Barry Burkhill
- 2019/20 – Councillor Barry Burkhill
- 2018/19 – Councillor Lesley Smetham
- 2017/18 – Councillor Arthur Moran
- 2016/17 – Councillor Olivia Hunter
- 2015/16 – Councillor Hilda Gaddum
- 2014/15 – Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald
- 2013/14 – Councillor Dorothy Flude
- 2012/13 – Councillor George Walton
- 2011/12 – Councillor Roger West
- 2010/11 – Councillor Gordon Baxendale
- 2009/10 – Councillor Margaret Simon
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