QUESTIONS have been asked about how Northwich Town Council conducts its business.

Gaynor Sinar, a Northwich resident, business owner and Cheshire West and Chester councillor, asked five questions of the town council at its February meeting.

The questions focus on Labour group pre-meeting before full council meetings, the council's £500,000 budget and who sets the agenda, among other items.

“These are questions that have come to mind over two years while I've attended Northwich Town Council,” she said.

Gaynor asked the questions in the public forum section of the meeting.

She said: “First, what's the need for a pre-meeting when all the members of Northwich Town Council belong to the same political party?

“Is there any truth in the rumour that despite Northwich Town Council currently asking for the the highest precept in west Cheshire, apart from Chester a new levy on domestic ratepayers is planned?

“Why are most items on the agenda set and presented by a co-opted member who lives in a neighbouring parish, who also instigated the pre-meetings and moved council meetings back from 6pm to 6.30pm to accommodate this?

“Why has it not always been acknowledged when CWAC councillors have allocated funds from their councillors' budgets for things like the Tree of Lights or the family fun day – I wasn't expecting individual councillors to be mentioned but CWAC overall.

“Finally why is the neighbourhood plan and Northwich Town Council under represented by women and people who actually live and work in Northwich?”

Councillors were unable to answer her questions at the meeting as they had not had notice they were going to be asked.

Gaynor will provide the council with a written copy of her questions and town mayor Clr Bob Robinson said it will respond before the next meeting.