Cheshire East Council has published details of the allowances paid to its elected members during the 2025/26 financial year, with total payments exceeding £1.26 million.

The figures, covering the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, include basic allowances, special responsibility allowances, dependants' carers' expenses, travel, subsistence and co-optees' allowances.

Every councillor receives a basic allowance to support them in carrying out their role, while those with additional responsibilities, such as cabinet members, committee chairs and the council leader, receive extra payments.

The largest overall payment was made to Council Leader Nick Mannion, who received £44,842, including a £29,517 special responsibility allowance.

Deputy Leader, Michael Gorman, received £32,408, while Chair of Cheshire East's Highways and Transport Committee, Mark Goldsmith, received £26,371.

Overall, Cheshire East Council paid: £1,040,888 in basic allowances, £214,392 in special responsibility allowances, £2,006 in dependants' carers' expenses, £10,441.51 in travel expenses, £661.25 in subsistence and £5 in co-optees' allowances.

This brought the total paid to £1,268,394 during the financial year.

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson said: "These allowances represent a reimbursement for the time and personal costs incurred by elected members while carrying out their responsibilities on behalf of the council and the people of Cheshire East.

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"Cheshire East is a large unitary authority with 82 elected members and the total cost of allowances is proportionate and in line with most other unitary authorities in England."