KNUTSFORD TOWN COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT

TOWN MAYOR’S REPORT

It has been an unexpected privilege to be elected as Town Mayor of Knutsford for 2008-09. 

During the year 3 councillors resigned and we had the pleasure of welcoming to Council in December, David Lever, former long serving Councillor Barbara Austin and in March, David Heffernan.

This year has been a year of looking ahead to the change in Local Government under the new East Cheshire Council. The Town Council recognises the importance of developing good working relations with the East Cheshire Officers and with our local East Cheshire Councillors for Knutsford: Olivia Hunter, Steve Wilkinson and former Town Councillor Tony Ranfield.

The Town Council has had to move out of it’s historic Council Chamber, for what we hope will be a short period of time due to access issues and during the year has relocated firstly to the Jubilee Room and lately to the Civic Centre. 

PLANNING

The Town Council acts in an advisory capacity to the Local Planning Authority on planning applications for the town. In 2008-09 the Council considered 206 applications. There were no objections to 159, of these MBC approved 121 and refused 13. Recommended for refusal were 47, of these MBC approved 39 and refused 8. Withdrawn before consideration 25.

Overall applications received for consideration continued to fall from the recent peak of 264 in 2006-07.

During the year we had a presentation for a new supermarket from Aldi to be located in the grounds behind the

nursery school, Brook Street. At this time no planning application has however been submitted.

COMMUNITY / ENVIRONMENT REPORT

2008 was Cheshire Year of the Gardens and at long last the railway bridge was given an eye catching red and blue design when repainted. The station platforms were also smartened up and the High School provided some brilliant artwork. Town Guides were handed out to what seemed like several hundred people who visited Knutsford by train. They were directed along King Street and the business community provided many eye catching floral displays. It was hoped that they would visit our town after the RHS was over.

The Friends of the Moor are to be congratulated on all their hard work to transform the Moor. Macclesfield Borough Council provided new and smart black railings and entrance gates and the playground is kept in very good order.

The Christmas Lights switch on in Canute Place is a Knutsford Tradition. This year was memorable, particularly for children when the event began in King Street with Father Christmas and 2 little girls enjoying a sleigh ride pulled by four reindeer! 

For 2009 the Environment Committee has entered the North West in Bloom Competition when the town will be judged not only on its floral displays but also its street furniture and community involvement. Knutsford has won Best Town in its population category on 2 occasions and has also been runner up. Egerton School also won a top award in 2006 and Manor Park School has also been commended in the past. 

Judging for our own ‘In Bloom’ awards will take place in late July. All the electoral wards are visited to discover the best front garden displays.

Town Mayor for 2008-09 - Councillor Miss Jennifer Holbrook

FINANCIAL REPORT
ANNUAL AUDIT

The Annual Return for the financial year to 31 March 2009 to be submitted, as required under the Audit regulations, to the Audit Commission. 

31/03/08

31/03/09

Balances brought forward

£44,937 

£88,833

Annual Precept Request 

£73,000 

£71,785

Other Receipts 

£75,953

£75,515

Total Income 

£193,890

£236,133

Staff Costs

£45,327

£43,321

Other Payments

£59,730

£95,874

Total Expenditure

£105,057

£139,195

Balances carried forward

£88,833

£96,938

PRECEPT AND BUDGET PLAN 2009-10
In December the Finance Committee drew up a proposed Budget Plan for 2009-10 which was approved at the Town Council meeting on 19 January 2009. 
The Precept requested from Cheshire East Council was set at £72,121 (+ 0.46 % on 2008/09).

QUALITY COUNCIL
The Town Council has a Quality Council Working Group which has been meeting throughout the year to enable the council to achieve Quality Council Status. A special ‘thank you’ to them for their thoughtful work.

Grant Beneficiaries 2008/09
Included :-

  • The Town Plan
  • The Heritage Centre
  • Royal May Day
  • The Toft Taverners
  • The Citizens Advise
  • The Scouts
  • C.V.S
  • G.R.O.W
  • Brook Street Chapel
  • The Welcome
  • K.C.T.A
  • The Tatton Singers
  • Ash Court
  • The Samaritans
  • Over Ward Fun Day

Town Council Meetings

Usually held in the Jubilee Hall, Stanley Road on the 1st Monday of the month at 7pm.  Please check by phone or on our web site for confirmation.

Meetings are open to the public and there is an opportunity for any resident to ask a question during Public Question Time at the end of each meeting. Each agenda is available on our website.

Knutsford Town Councillors

Bexton Ward

Francis Aldhouse CBE 651242
Stewart Gardiner  641906
Miss Barbara Austin 632950

Nether Ward

David Lever 622970
Mrs Jennifer Want  651830
Tony Want 651830

Norbury Booths

Miss Jennifer Holbrook 651244
Mrs Jan Nicholson 751197
Peter Raynes 633487

Over Ward

Ms Barbara Coan 651489
Peter Coan 632159
Neil Forbes 633465
Wilson Hamman 652485
Charles Mountain 641267
David Heffernan  640752

Cheshire East Councillors

Ms Olivia Hunter 872162
Tony Ranfield 653302
Steve Wilkinson 734195
                                               

How to contact the Town Council

Town Clerk: Matthew Jackson, Council Offices, Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 6TA
Tel: (01565) 653929
email: Townclerk@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk
website: http://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/ 

Office Open: Monday - Friday  9.30 am - 4 pm