A new crowdfunding platform could soon be established by Cheshire East Council, after cabinet members approved plans to procure a system for such work.

Councillors also approved a list of 'general purposes' and rules for which crowdfunding could be used at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, November 10.

Presenting the policy, Cllr Mick Warren — CEC's portfolio holder for communities — said: "This approach is donation-based, and has been used by other councils up and down the country. A number of others are using this type of funding with great success.

"Instead of the council deciding what projects need funding, residents can."

One of the state purposes is 'to provide council support and potentially council part-funding for selected community initiatives and projects'.

However, CEC is explicitly barred from using the platform 'to fund or part fund statutory council services'.

That does however open up the possibility that non-statutory services could be supported through crowdfunding.

At the meeting, deputy Conservative Group leader Cllr Liz Wardlaw voiced her opposition to the proposals: "I would like to put my reservations on record. It exposes the council to fraud, and it will be highly expensive for administration costs.

"It is not our role to go out and ask residents for money."

Each project on the system will have to undergo a process of due diligence before it is listed by CEC, and if successful in obtaining funding, 'will be monitored to ensure that they achieve their aims and that all funds are properly applied towards achieving the stated goals of any project'.