WARRINGTON'S councillors chalked up almost £730,000 in allowances and expenses over 2017-18.

All members received an annual basic allowance of £8,014 – an increase of £79 from 2016-17.

In 2014-15, councillors collected £693,049 in allowances and expenses, with the figure reaching £709,630 in 2015-16, £731,420 in 2016-17 and £728,645 in 2017-18.

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill again topped the list after claiming £28,649 in the latest financial year.

As well as his basic allowance of £8,014, the figure included a special responsibility allowance of £20,015 for his leadership post, £486 for travel and £134 for mileage.

Deputy leader Cllr Russ Bowden was second highest after getting £23,400.

It included a £14,312 special allowance for his deputy role, £486 for travel and £587 for mileage.

Former mayor Cllr Les Morgan was next after claiming £21,128, which included a mayoral allowance of £11,945 and £469 for travel.

All executive board members received a special allowance of £10,008, apart from Cllr Dan Price, the newest member of the board, who received £8,609 after replacing former deputy leader Cllr Graham Friend on the board last May, partly through the financial year.

Cllr Jean Carter, executive member for children's services, received £18,507, Cllr Judith Guthrie, executive member for environment and public protection, £18,507, Cllr Tony Higgins, executive member for leisure and community, £18,507, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive member for public health and wellbeing, £18,507, Cllr Hans Mundry, executive member for highways, transportation and public realm, £18,602, Cllr Hitesh Patel, executive member for personnel and communications, £18,507, Cllr Price, executive member for culture and partnerships, £17,075, and Cllr Pat Wright, executive member for statutory health and adult social care, £18,507.

Following approval from councillors at the full council meeting on Monday, the basic allowance has increased by two per cent to £8,174.

The two per cent rise was agreed as the local government rate nationally by unions and local authorities.

It has effect until March 31 next year.

Before making any changes to its scheme of councillors' allowances, the council 'must seek and take into account' the recommendations of an independent remuneration panel.