THE Conservative party leader has expressed 'serious concern' over the number of questions put forward by councillors ahead of Monday's Warrington Borough Council (WBC) meeting at the Town Hall.

A total of 16 questions submitted were published on agenda papers but the number has now jumped to 22 following six questions from the Liberal Democrats - a total figure which has alarmed Cllr Paul Kennedy (CON - Hatton, Stretton and Walton).

A time cap of 30 minutes is allocated to deal with this element of the meeting and the time usually given to respond to questions is set at five minutes.

Included in the questions put forward are six submissions from Labour councillors and 10 from Cllr Kevin Bennett (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition - Fairfield and Howley), who resigned from Labour in January.

In an email sent to all councillors and senior WBC staff, which has been seen by the Warrington Guardian, Cllr Kennedy said: "22 questions………oh come on…….. in the interests of equality and reputation, might I suggest that written replies are given to all 22 and the meeting moves swiftly to the next item."

He has since raised his fears over the possibility of the meeting descending into 'chaos' and called for a resolution to be carried out.

He said: "It is farcical - there is a time limit on questions, 30 minutes in total.

"Cllr Bennett has put in 10 questions and is in dispute with the Labour administration.

"Labour councillors have put in six questions and the Liberal Democrats have put in six questions late - Labour’s six questions are listed first and will no doubt take the full 30 minutes to answer.

"We have never had 22 questions before and I don’t think that it is a record we should be proud of.

"I think the council needs to get real, it should think long and hard on what this will do its reputation - some people might not care, I do."

Cllr Kennedy admits he understands the frustrations of residents over such matters but hopes his idea will be implemented.

"I think residents deserve better than these 22 questions, most, if not all, are blatant electioneering at the taxpayers’ expense - no wonder voters are fed up with politicians," he added.

"I just sense that the Mayor is going to be put in a most difficult position and the reputation of WBC and its elected members will be badly damaged.

"In my opinion the only equitable solution, if members will not withdraw all of their questions, is for the Mayor to issue a directive that all questions are answered in writing and then moves the meeting on to the next item."

The meeting takes place at 6.35pm on Monday.