Cllrs Johnson, Hartley, Dalzell, McCulloch, Robertson and Banks holding signs opposing the parking changes in front of a row of parked cars

Town Council Opposes Parking Proposals

Knutsford Town Council is calling on Cheshire East Council to abandon its proposals to reduce on-street parking times and raise parking charges in Knutsford which it considers is a threat to the high street.

Under the Cheshire East Council proposals, existing 1-hour bays would be cut to just 30 minutes whilst the 2-hour bays by the Moor would reduce to 1-hour. The 2-hour bays by Tatton Park would also be cut to only 30 minutes.

The Town Council is refuting Cheshire East Council claims that the changes will reduce the number of cars parked on streets and make the town centre safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and considers it will instead result in more turnover in parking bays creating more hazards for pedestrian and cyclists safety whilst having no effect on the number of cars within the town centre.

Knutsford councillors have also expressed concern that the reduced times will deter town centre users completing their “whilst I’m here” tasks to the detriment of the local economy.

Cllr Christopher Gray, Chairman of the Town Council’s Town Centre Committee said: “These restrictions will undoubtedly make shopping for many residents a chore and a worry as time becomes of the essence”

The Town Council’s consultation response, published below, argues that the proposals “will result in fewer visits to local businesses at a time when independent retail and small town centres are struggling the most.”

The Town Council is also concerned the proposals will impact the everyday wellbeing of the community. “Shopping and meeting friends and neighbours – often by accident – contribute greatly to our wellbeing and these proposals threaten this.” Cllr Gray added.

Objection has also been raised to the proposals to increase parking charges at a time when businesses and families are struggling financially. The Town Council highlights that the planned changes will only increase Cheshire East Council’s revenue by a measly £1,381 which does not justify the potential harm to the town centre.

The Town Council has also expressed its disappointment at Cheshire East Council’s failure to make provision for Coach Parking after many years of the Town Council calling for action. 

The full consultation response can be read here: CEC Parking Review Consultation Response.

The consultation closes on Wednesday 1st November. You can make a representation by emailing: carparksreview2023@cheshireeast.gov.uk.

A sculpture of King Canute in the council office gardens, with a tree

Notice of Conclusion of Audit 2023

The audit of accounts for Knutsford Town Council for the year ended 31 March 2023 has been completed and the accounts have been published.

The Annual Governance & Accountability Return is available for inspection by any local government elector of the area of Knutsford Town Council on application to:

Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk – townclerk@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Monday-Friday to 9am to 5pm.

Copies will be provided to any person on payment of £ NIL for each copy of the Annual Governance & Accountability Return.

Announcement made by Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk

Date of announcement: 29th September 2023

A copy of the completed AGAR can be accessed here: AGAR 2022/23

A CGI render of the revised frontage to the market hall

Funds awarded for Market Hall Renovation

Plans to renovate Knutsford Market Hall have taken a significant step forward with the announcement of major grant funding to help deliver the project.

Knutsford Town Council has secured a grant of £560,000, 80% of the estimated £700,000 costs of undertaking a complete refurbishment of the market hall.

The grant comes from the Community Ownership Fund, a £150m fund from the UK Government as part of its Levelling Up agenda. The fund aims to help communities save cherished local assets and the Market Hall is one of a number of projects awarded funding across the country.

The project is at an early stage, with more detailed plans to be developed and announced in the coming weeks ahead of a planning application being submitted by the end of the year. Once a timeline for the works has been agreed, the council will be able to determine how to accommodate traders whilst works take place. 

The renovations will include a complete refurbishment of the interior of the market hall, a redesigned frontage to create a more open and welcoming space and replacement of the stall structures creating more storage for traders within each stall.  The works will also deliver significant improvement to the energy efficiency of the building including installing insulation, closing doors and solar panels.

Speaking of the award, Town Clerk Adam Keppel-Green said “It was incredible to receive the news of our success in securing this game-changing level of funding for the Market Hall. Thanks to the Community Ownership Fund, we will be able to deliver a significant improvement to the Market Hall in 2024, securing its future for decades to come”.

Knutsford Market Hall was built in 1964, and with the exception of minor works in the 1980s, remains largely the same building as it was almost 60 years ago.

Town Mayor, Cllr Peter Coan said “Knutsford Market Hall is a fantastic space for small businesses and a vital part of our high street, we are delighted to be able to celebrate its 60th Birthday in 2024 by giving it a new lease of life”

The Community Ownership Fund provides grants of up to 80% of the project costs. The council is currently exploring how to provide the balance with options including use of its capital reserve and borrowing. The council is also seeking a further grant through the Shared Prosperity Fund.

This round of the Community Ownership Fund was the first to be open to Town and Parish Councils, thanks to the lobbying work of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), and Knutsford is one of nine local councils that has secured funding in this round.

The 15 town councillors with the town mayor at the centre

100 actions to deliver on plan

Knutsford Town Council has set out the 100 actions it will be delivering by May 2024 as the first action plan under its new 10-year strategy.

In June, the Town Council adopted a new 10 year plan to guide its work through to 2032. The strategy sets out the core aims and objectives of the council for the ensuing decade. Work on creating the new strategy started in summer 2022 with public engagement sessions where the community was asked to identify the key issues that needed attention in the Town. A further consultation was held in spring 2023, with a draft plan presented for feedback.

“In developing our new strategy we wanted to ensure it carried the voice of the community throughout, so the entire plan is built on the feedback we received from those who took part in our two consultations” said Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green.

The plan sets out six strategic aims for the council:

  1. Knutsford Town Centre will be a thriving and unique destination for residents and visitors alike
  2. We will enable residents to choose to reduce their reliance on cars by improving the desirability of walking, cycling and using public transport
  3. Knutsford will have a diverse network of green spaces, a biodiverse natural environment and a reduced carbon footprint
  4. Knutsford’s heritage will be understood, conserved and celebrated
  5. We will lead a strong, connected community with a thriving community spirit and civic pride
  6. Knutsford residents will have access to the services and facilities they need to live happy and healthy lives.

Each aim is supported by a series of specific objectives which the council has already set out working to achieve. The council has restructured its committees to deliver the plan, and each committee has been tasked with developing detailed action plans for how it will turn words into actions.

Amongst the various objectives the council has committed to achieving are developing a town centre masterplan, creating an active travel plan and working to create new permissive walking routes, improving Knutsford’s green spaces, and expanding its Town Ranger service. The plan also sets out the council’s commitment to supporting the success of community groups and working to lobby external bodies to improve access to key services, such as working to deliver a new medical centre.

The council has now agreed its first 100 specific action for the current civic year. These include:

  • Launching a regular e-newsletter
  • Leading joint stakeholder meetings to agree a delivery plan for improved medical facilities
  • Developing a Green Spaces Strategy in partnership with local Friends groups
  • Concluding formal reviews of the town’s Conservation Areas
  • Commencing work on a Town Centre Masterplan and Active Travel Infrastructure Plan

The full action plan, including target dates, is available on the Town Council website at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/strategicplan

Town Mayor, Cllr Peter Coan said “This plan is purposefully ambitious, and it is going to take a lot of work, but I am looking forward to working with my fellow councillors and our team of officers to make these actions a reality and help make Knutsford a better place for us all”

A collection of community stalls in a church

Call for groups to join ReFresh

Knutsford’s Community freshers-style fair, ReFresh Knutsford, is set to return in September giving community groups, charities, and clubs the opportunity to showcase their organisation and recruit members.

Organised by Knutsford Town Council, ReFresh Knutsford emerged in 2021 as a community fair based on the concept of a ‘freshers fair’. The event gave Knutsford residents old and new the opportunity to discover organisations and clubs and connect them better to things going on in the community.

Knutsford Town Council are currently recruiting community groups, charities, and clubs to showcase their organisation on 2nd September. The event will be held across two venues: St Johns Church and Egerton Place from 1pm – 3pm. It is free to exhibit for all groups.

Communication Officer Laura Anderson said ‘Knutsford is lucky to be the home of many interesting clubs and community groups. We understand it can be hard for clubs to get their organisation known and for residents to find exactly what they are looking for. This event for is a brilliant opportunity to connect these groups to local residents and showcase what they do’

Any group wishing to exhibit at this event can do so by contacting enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk . The deadline for expressions of interest is 25th Jul 2023.

Mayors Cadet, Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor

Civic Sunday Parade

Residents of Knutsford are being encouraged to come out to see their Town Mayor, Cllr Peter Coan, at his Civic Sunday parade on Sunday 30th July. The Mayor of Knutsford will be processing through the streets for the first time since he became Mayor in May.

The parade assembles at 1.30pm at King Street Car Park and sets off at 1.45pm processing down King Street, up Minshull Street, along Princess Street, taking a left down Church Walk and across the Moor before heading up to St Cross Church where the Civic Service will take place led by Reverend Paul Deakin

The parade will be led by Warrington Brass band and include dignitaries and Town Mayors along with Chairs from Town and Parish Councils across Cheshire.

Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan said: “My Civic Sunday is open to anyone who wants to attend. All are welcome to join me as I parade through the town with my fellow councillors and Cheshire dignitaries and the church service is open to everyone! Please feel free to come along. Let’s hope the sun keeps shining for us all!’

During his term of office, Cllr Coan is raising funds for Knutsford GROW  and for UK Men’s Sheds Association.

For more information about the above events contact the Civic Events Officer on 01565 653929 or email laura.phillipson@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.

Colin Banks, Morgan Ward and Sam Youd outside Morgan Edwards

RHS Week Best Shop Window Winners

Knutsford was blooming last week as the annual Best Dressed Window Competitions took place during the RHS Tatton Flower Show.

16 town centre businesses participated across the official RHS competition, and Knutsford Town Council’s competition. Whilst the number of entries was lower than previous years, there was a fantastic effort by those who were able to participate this year.

Morgan Edwards was crowned the victor of the RHS Best Dressed Window Competition after the judges applauded their stunning display. Pulse of Perfumery won a new award introduced for 2023 entitled ‘Best Floral Inspired Display’.

Winners for the Town Council’s floral walk were chosen after careful consideration from Knutsford Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Colin Banks and Sam Youd, former head gardener of Tatton Park.

The award for best Small Window went to Kanoa Living on Princess Street who had decked their window with tropical plants and flowers.

In 3rd place this year was Pulse of Perfumery on King Street with their rose inspired design. In 2nd place King Street Kitchen, also located on King Street, who had a stunning display of fresh flowers and herbs at their entrance.

The winner this year is Morgan Edwards, also located on King Street, whose display featured a floral design incorporating the RHS theme for this year, the senses.

Sandra Curties, Town Centre Manager said: “It is fantastic to see the great efforts our local businesses go to in creating stunning displays for RHS week every year, it adds real magic to the town centre.”

Cllr Colin Banks, Deputy Mayor of Knutsford, added: “A huge congratulations to everybody involved in the Best Dressed Window Competition this year! The standard has been outstanding, the time and effort shown by local business is commendable and a credit to all! The winner’s display was judged the best as the whole window was intricately themed and we found the fresh appearance of the display impressive.”

Cllr Banks continued “You can still see many of the displays in town this week so don’t forget to have a walk-through town if you haven’t already.”

Two people walking in front of market stalls

July Makers Market

The July Makers Market takes place this weekend – Sunday 2nd July – from 11am to 4pm along Princess Street. The market is run by The Makers Market and this month the market manager is Matilda who can be reached on 07803397027.

You can view the stall layout here: July Makers Market Stall Layout

The top of a phonebox

Publication of Unaudited Accounts 2022/23

NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF
UNAUDITED ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 26 and 27
The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)

Date of announcement Monday 26 June 2023

Each year the smaller authority’s Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) needs to be reviewed by an external auditor appointed by Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Ltd.  The unaudited AGAR has been published with this notice. As it has yet to be reviewed by the appointed auditor, it is subject to change as a result of that review.

Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested. For the year ended 31 March 2023, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to:

Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk
Council Offices, Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 6TA
townclerk@kntusfordtowncouncil.gov.uk – 01565 653 929

commencing on Tuesday 27 June 2022
and ending on Monday 7 August 2022

Local government electors and their representatives also have:

  • The opportunity to question the appointed auditor about the accounting records; and
  • The right to make an objection which concerns a matter in respect of which the appointed auditor could either make a public interest report or apply to the court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the smaller authority.

The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose between the above dates only.

The smaller authority’s AGAR is subject to review by the appointed auditor under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 and the NAO’s Code of Audit Practice 2015.  The appointed auditor is:

PKF Littlejohn LLP (Ref: SBA Team), 1 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London,  E14 4HD / sba@pkf-littlejohn.com

This announcement is made by Adam Keppel-Green, Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer 

You can view the unaudited return here: AGAR 2022/23 (unaudited)

A group of people at a meeting looking towards four people at a top table. One man is stood with a microphone.

Medical Centre ‘five years away’ if all partners commit

Last night, Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan hosted a public meeting to discuss future primary healthcare provision in Knutsford. The packed meeting at Knutsford Methodist Church included a panel with Esther McVey MP, Dr Patrick Kearns (Knutsford Medical Partnership) and Mark Wilkinson (Cheshire East Place Director at Cheshire and Merseyside NHS integrated Care Board). Unfortunately East Cheshire NHS Trust (which owns the hospital) and the Leader of Cheshire East Council (which owns property around hospital and is responsible for social care) were unable to attend.

Patrick Kearns highlighted the challenge facing local doctors who are desperate for more space to be able to provide more care for the community. It was also highlighted that whilst a lease extension had been secured for the Annandale surgery, it will end in five years at which point the practice would lose a significant space.

Mark Wilkinson confirmed that improved primary care facilities for Knutsford are the top priority for the Cheshire East directorate he leads, but noted that following the change to Cheshire and Merseyside NHS there will be other top priority projects in other areas which compete.

The community expressed its frustration that after 15 years there seemed to have been no real progress on delivering new facilities. Mark Wilkinson advised that, subject to all going smoothly with securing permissions and funding, a new facility could be approximately five years away.

It was noted that the delivery of a new facility required strong partnership working from all partners. It was suggested that residents write to the Chief Executives for Cheshire East Council and the East Cheshire NHS Trust urging them to commit to the delivery of a new combined medical centre at the site of the Community Hospital (NHS Trust owned) and Bexton Court (Cheshire East Council owned) and prioritise engagement in a project to see it delivered.

As promised at the meeting, we are providing the contact information for these organisations.

Ged Murphy
Chief Executive of the East Cheshire NHS Trust

East Cheshire NHS Trust
Macclesfield District General Hospital
Victoria Road
Macclesfield
SK10 3BL

ecn-tr.CustomerCareService@nhs.net

Lorraine O’Donnell
Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council

Cheshire East Council
Westfields
Middlewich Road
Sandbach
CW11 1HZ

lorraine.odonnell@cheshireeast.gov.uk   

The Town Mayor will be writing to all stakeholders to convene a meeting as the first step to ensuring all partners commit to the project and make it a reality.

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