Councillors in Cheshire East are set to get a cash boost next year to pay for local highways projects of their choice.
They will be given the extra cash to spend on highways projects in their areas from April 2023, with individual budgets being increased from £4,200 to £6,500.
The council says the change will empower elected officials to prioritise local highway investment and use their dedicated allocations to pay for it.
The change will come into effect in the new financial year, and will operate for a fixed period of four years.
The authority says the scheme will help promote its aims of being a ‘thriving and sustainable place’ and delivering a highways network that is ‘safe and promotes active travel’.
It’s hoped town and parish councils will work with their Cheshire East ward members to match-fund some projects that have widespread support from their community.
Examples of things the budgets could be spent on include: street lighting, footpath and highway repairs, road signage, weed-clearing, drainage works and road markings.
Deputy leader Cllr Craig Browne, is chair of the council’s highways and transport committee.
He said: “I am confident that this improved scheme, with an increased budget, will help to give elected ward members a greater say in the delivery of local highways and transport priorities.
“The enhanced ward member budget scheme will help deliver locally important highways schemes and I am certain that residents will see a significant benefit over the next four years.”
A spokesperson for the council said: “The changes to how the scheme will be administered reflects the council’s commitment to enable closer engagement with elected members and town and parish councils, demonstrating how the council is listening to their concerns and taking action to address those concerns for the benefit of residents.”
