COUNCILLORS chalked up £693,049 in allowances and expenses in 2014-15.

During the past three years Warrington Borough Council's (WBC) basic allowance for members has remained at £7,911, with the leader's at £20,015.

Research by the TaxPayers' Alliance revealed £699 million has been paid out to local councillors in allowances in the last three years.

In 2012-13 the total for WBC was £662,248 but in 2014-15 it increased to £670,612, while the allowances and expenses combined total has now hit £693,049 – a £9,667 rise in the same period.

As leader, Cllr Terry O'Neill (LAB – Burtonwood and Winwick) topped the list in 2014-15 after receiving £29,172, which included £1,246 for mileage and travel costs.

Deputy leader Cllr Mike Hannon (LAB – Orford) is second with £23,484, while Cllr Ted Finnegan (LD – Grappenhall and Thelwall), who was entitled to a £12,134 mayoral allowance, totalled £21,490.

Basic pay for members in St Helens was £7,626, £6,265 in Trafford, £11,466 in Cheshire East and £11,573 in Cheshire West and Chester.

And leader allowances in Cheshire East reached £27,000, £28,931 in Cheshire West and Chester and £33,036 in St Helens.

In accordance with regulations the council must put forward a scheme each year and is also required to establish an independent remuneration panel (IRP) to advise 'upon the adoption' of it.

Before it can make, or amend an allowances scheme, it must have regard to the recommendations of the IRP.

In 2014-15 additional allowances were recommended by the panel and agreed by the council to take effect for the financial year 2015-16.

Last March it was confirmed that for the following civic year additional special responsibility allowances (SRA) would be paid to the chairman of corporate parenting committee, totalling £4,004, deputy chairman of scrutiny, £2,002, and deputy chairman of licensing, £2,002.

Cllr O'Neill appointed an an additional member to the executive board which also added to the number of SRAs paid.

A payment of a SRA to the deputy chairman of audit and corporate governance committee, Cllr Graham Friend (LAB – Poulton North), of £2,002, backdated to June 22 was also agreed.

Only one SRA is payable so if a councillor is already in receipt of an SRA for another position the higher amount is paid.

The council confirmed changes will be made but insists measures are in place to hold Town Hall members accountable.

A spokesman said: "The IRP recommended that the 2015-16 basic allowance should remain the same but in 2016-17 the allowance was to be increased in line with the positive value of the consumer price index up to March 31 in 2020.

"Should a member not attend a meeting of the council for a period of six months they would become disqualified from office."