A row erupted at a council meeting last night (20 February) after the borough's finance chief was branded 'Carol from accounts'.

Disruption followed, as members approved a maximum council tax hike as part of this year's budget.

A meeting of full council convened on Thursday evening where members approved a new budget and medium term financial strategy, which included a council tax increase of 4.99 per cent, the maximum permitted without triggering a local referendum.

It will see a Band D Council Tax bill for residents of £1,978.09, an increase of £1.81 per week from the previous year. 

Cheshire West and Chester Council's budget also includes £45.7m of additional funding for 2025-26 and a further £47.6 million planned for 2026-29, representing increased demand for council services, inflation and cost pressures as well as addressing other budget issues.

Funding has also been earmarked for programmes designed to deliver what the council said were 'new ways of workeing' in order to save money in the longer term, specifically in relation to children's and adults social care, both of which continue to represent significant cost pressures for the authority.

Introducing the budget, Cllr Carol Gahan, cabinet member for finance and legal, told members: "It's generally accepted that this budget has been developed in the most challenging financial climate since the council's inception, yet this is a bold budget delivering change and innovation, investment and hope."

To enable investment, the council said it needs to bridge a funding gap of more than £156 million over the next four years, representing 15 per cent of its gross budget.

It said the gap will be fully bridged in 2025-26, by over £29 million of savings proposals and £20 million additional locally generated income from council tax and business rates.

Conservative Cllr Lynn Gibbon, the group's former leader and now Shadow cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration and digital transformation, claimed decisions made at national level were already piling pressure on residents.

She added: "It feels like smoke and mirrors rather than a transparent financial plan to deliver a budget against a national backdrop of dreadful decisions.

"The reality is stark. It requires foresight and sound judgement not hope in a crystal ball.

"And Carol from accounts is not Mystic Meg."

Cllr Gahan then interjected with a point of order, stating the 'Carol from accounts' comment had echoes of 'Rachel from accounts' which had been used against Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

She said: "My name is Carol Gahan; I'm a councillor. 

"Calling me 'Carol from accounts' has got rings of the 'Rachel from accounts' that your party is using as a disparaging, misogynistic attack."

Cllr Gibbon was invited to withdraw the comment but declined to do so, saying she had said 'nothing bad'.

Council chair Robert Bisset addressed Cllr Gibbon and said: "I'm disappointed as a chair, because I don't think comments of that nature befits anybody, least of all you."

A residual budget gap of £4.1 million remains over the period 2026-29.

The council also plans to deliver a programme of capital investment totalling over £415 million for the next four years, with £129 million in 2025-26.

An alternative Conservative budget put forward on the night was rejected.

The final budget, including council tax rise and capital budget was passed with 41 members voting in favour and 21 against.