A PANEL scrutinising the work of the county's police and crime commissioner (PCC) has approved its budget – which includes almost £12,000 for allowances and expenses.

The Home Office pays a ring-fenced grant to 'host authority' Cheshire East Council to maintain a Cheshire police and crime panel so it can carry out its ‘functions’ and ‘responsibilities’.

It is paid in arrears, with the payment for 2016-17 having been received last month.

The panel, which scrutinises the actions and decisions of PCC David Keane, includes Warrington borough councillors Brian Maher and Jan Davidson.

The approved 2018-19 budget totals £68,466 – it is made up of a projected £51,506 for support provided by Cheshire East Council's staff, £11,960 for member allowances and expenses, £3,000 for webcasting of meetings and £2,000 for room hire and training.

Members also appointed Bob Fousert as chairman and Cllr Andrew Dawson as deputy for 2018-19 during their meeting at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Services’ Safety Central site in Lymm on Wednesday.

And they got the chance to question Mr Keane.

Halton borough councillor Norman Plumpton Walsh took the opportunity to raise the issue of domestic violence.

Mr Keane said 'the troubles around provision' for people suffering domestic abuse are 'getting worse and worse'.

Furthermore, he highlighted the 'real danger' facing facilities following cuts to 'core funding' for refuges, as well as the 'removal of housing benefit for, largely, women visiting refuges across the country'.

"I believe refuges are in a dire position," he said.

"We need people to have the confidence to come forward and report these types of crime.

"I do have a meeting organised with a number of domestic abuse charities throughout Cheshire.

"We are committed to sorting proper provision in Cheshire out."

Shortly after, Mr Keane, who is also a borough councillor for the Penketh and Cuerdley ward in Warrington, was questioned on his views over the link between alcohol consumed during sporting events, such as the World Cup, and domestic abuse.

He added: "I recognise people tend to drink more at times when these national sporting events on.

"But I hate to connect it to sport directly.

"I think there are lots of campaign in sports going on.

"We all do need to become ambassadors in protecting the whole of society.

"Certainly, eyes and ears are open, and I do know all our agencies are very aware of the upcoming time."