Lake wrangle costs council £16,378

Oct 3 2008 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

FRODSHAM Town Council’s successful but lengthy legal battle to establish community ownership of Crowmere Lake, has landed the authority with a solicitors’ bill for £16,378.

After requesting a breakdown of legal fees from its solicitors, councillors agreed to settle the bill, closing the controversial chapter which resulted in the authority also ordered to pay legal costs of about £23,000 incurred by the Frodsham family who claimed ownership of the local beauty spot.

Cllr Dennis Taylor said: “This has been hanging around for some time. The case is finished and we have established the town council is the legal owner of the site and the bill should be paid.”

However, Cllr Tony Hinkins added: “If we get involved in anything like this again, we must keep a closer eye on costs.”