Good news for Congleton taxpayers who contribute to pay for councillors expenses - as our town's borough councillors saved more almost a million quid on staff mileage claims last year.

In the 2020/21 financial year, Cheshire East Council saved £920,000 on petrol for councillors because of the pandemic.

Figures released by the council in a report to the corporate policy committee reveal that mileage claimed by staff in the 2020 calendar year was down by 41% compared to 2019, with over 1.2m fewer miles being claimed.

The report adds: "Actual mileage payments to both regular and casual users across the council were 53% down in 2020/21 compared with 2019/20, this equated to approximately £927k less being paid for mileage claims in the last financial year."

It goes to show the benefit on virtual meetings for not just the public pocket, but also the environment.

The council is now looking to review ways of working to reduce the need to travel and so cut costs and also contribute to its aims to be carbon neutral by 2025.

It us not known how much CO2 emissions have been saved from the reduced need to travel.

Councillors have since returned to in-person meetings following the cessation of all coronavirus restrictions.

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The report, workforce efficiencies and terms and conditions review, states: "The pandemic has altered how our staff are working.

"In line with the Covid restrictions and requirements from March 2020, those staff who are able to work from home have been encouraged to do so.

"Whilst these arrangements are not permanent, they have provided an opportunity to review ways of working and have dramatically reduced the need to travel and therefore costs.

"Senior officers have committed to permanently reduce business mileage across the council by 30% which could result in a staff travel budget saving of £428k from 2021/22."

It continues: "The medium-term financial strategy agreed by council in February 2021 recognised the unprecedented financial challenges facing the council.

"One of the approved proposals is a review of ways of working, looking at opportunities for efficiencies and, potentially, changes to terms and conditions of employment where benchmarking shows Cheshire East Council has more favourable terms when compared to other councils.

"The intention is that identified savings will reduce costs over the longer term and protect jobs."

The council believes that, subject to consultation and agreement with staff and trade unions, further savings could be made in relation to travel and mileage and by 2024 costs could be cut by more than £750k.

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Councillors at Tuesday's meeting are being asked to support the ongoing engagement with trade unions and staff on new ways of working and other workforce initiatives.

They are also being asked to approve the start of formal consultation with the recognised trade unions on changes to a range of terms and conditions of employment at an appropriate time following a review of how the council's terms and conditions compare to other authorities.

The corporate policy committee meeting takes place on Tuesday, September 7 at 10.30am at Sandbach Town Hall.

Despite research suggesting four in five councils wanted to carry on holding remote meetings after the COVID, central government announced in May that they do not want them to continue.

There are six Cheshire East Councillors who represent Congleton, who all claimed less on fuel due to lockdown.

Of those six, one includes Councillor Suzie Akers Smith.

The Congleton West councillor was already championing less car trips for all before the pandemic, as she is the Independent Cycling and Walking Champion for Cheshire East.

You can find your councillor here.

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