A COUNCILLOR angered colleagues when she dubbed a popular beauty spot “The Money Pit.”
Coun Liz Jewkes agreed to withdraw the remark after a number of other members of Stockton Heath Parish Council expressed disquiet.
She had been referring to the troubled recent history of Ackers Pit where recent restoration work has cost more than £80,000.
Coun Jewkes was only elected to the council in May and told fellow members: “In the short time I have been on the 
council we keep being asked for extra money.
“Ever since I have been here, something else has been required, some other cost. I think we are just going along day by day without a proper plan.”
Coun Jewkes said a two or three year plan and a budget should be drawn up rather than extra money being sought on a month by month basis.
Her comments drew some support from other members – until she referred to a “Money Pit.”
She was asked to withdraw the remark and agreed to do so.
The debate had been triggered by a request for a further £7,000 for the removal of 16 trees along Ackers Road which were said to be dangerous.
Fifty trees had already been cut back or removed at additional cost, the council was told.
Coun Sheila Dean said there had been little consultation over the removal of the trees. She thought the site was looking bleak and was no longer a pleasant place to walk.
“A huge amount of money has been spent on it,” she said.
Coun Marilyn Timmins said the site had lost a lot of its character and looked “very barren.”
But Coun Graham Roughsedge said the trees in question were Poplars and Split Willow, which were dangerous and the wrong sort for the area. They could fall or break and cause injury or accident to pedestrians or cars. The plan was to replace them with more suitable species.
The council agreed to spend the additional £7,000 but to work on a management plan for the site in the future.
Grants towards the cost of the restoration scheme have been received from the Environment Agency and from Warrington Anglers Association – and the council has sold fishing rights to the anglers for £30,000.
