Cheshire East Council is planning a cost-cutting shake-up by scrapping two committees to save time and money.

The council will decide next week whether to go ahead with plans to do away with the strategic planning board and also whether to include the functions of the public rights of way sub-committee within the highways and transport committee.

A report due to go to Wednesday's meeting of the full council states: "The reduction in number of committees would have direct impact on the budget in relation to member allowances, member and officer time and travel etc. In [councillor] allowances terms, if all of the proposals were agreed, that would equate to a saving of approximately £11,850."

At present Cheshire East has two 'area planning committees' – northern and southern – which both have the same functions and responsibilities, but deal with planning matters on a broadly geographical basis.

The strategic planning board (SPB) deals with planning proposals relating to major developments.

Under the proposals the two area committees would be retained and would also deal with planning proposals relating to major developments in their areas and other matters currently covered by the SPB. The environment and communities committee would oversee the development and delivery of planning policy, including the local plan.

The report states: "Each planning committee has 12 members and meets on a three-weekly basis. The chair receives a special responsibility allowance (SRA) of £7,650. There are also meeting-related costs associated with travel, subsistence and officer time."

The public rights of way (PROW) sub-committee has seven members and meets four times a year. The chair receives an SRA of £4,200.

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Five years ago the then chair of the PROW – former councillor Sarah Pochin – refused to accept the SRA, telling the committee at the end of her second meeting the £942 [at that time in 2018] she would have received for chairing a one hour meeting that particular day is 'absolutely ridiculous and a complete waste of council tax payers' money'.

Other savings already implemented by Cheshire East this year include councillors using digital copies of agendas instead of paper. The council has stopped printing and posting paper agendas for all meetings. This, together with reducing costs for external venues, is expected to save an estimated £40k to £50k over the year.

A final decision on the proposed savings will be made at Wednesday's meeting of full council which takes place at Macclesfield Town Hall at 11am on Wednesday, July 19.