A Keppel-Green | Knutsford Town Council

2May2025

Town Awards celebrates community heroes

The community spirit of Knutsford was celebrated on Wednesday night with the presentation of the annual Town Awards at Knutsford Little Theatre.

The awards, which were introduced in 2013 and are sponsored by the Forum of Private Business, celebrate the work of the local residents, businesses and groups that make Knutsford such a special place to live, work and do business.

Stable Minds secured the first award of the evening, winning the 2025 Community Award for their support of mental wellbeing in the community. Their many nominations cited the benefit of the work they do and praised the opening of a new mental health walk-in centre.

The 2025 Youth Award went to Ella Williamson for her work volunteering with the Crosstown Community Orchard. Ella helps out at every event in the orchard getting stuck in setting the events up, serving food and packing back down at the end. Ella also volunteers regularly on the monthly work days to keep the orchard maintained.

Ella Williamson being presented with her award by the Mayor and Mayoress — *Youth Award winner Ella Williamson*

Di Healey, who runs two local choirs secured the 2025 Business Award. Through operating the choirs Di has raised several thousand pounds for charities and her choirs are a treasured part of many community events.

The inaugural Volunteer of the Year award went to Jenny Collis. Jenny has been a longstanding volunteer with Knutsford Heritage Centre, giving talks on local history to many groups as well as editing the monthly member’s journal. Jenny has also recently published her own book on the town’s history, donating 100% of the profits to Knutsford Heritage Centre.

A special award was made to Knutsford Little Theatre in celebration of their 100-year anniversary. Initially starting as the Knutsford Amateur Dramatic Society in 1925. The society purchased what is now Knutsford Little Theatre in 1949 and has grown to be a treasured part of the local community, putting on its own amateur dramatics productions and hosting a range of local events. Jim Broughton, Chair of the Little Theatre, was presented with a plaque to record the community’s appreciation to mark their anniversary.

The final presentations were the three Civic Awards, presented to an individual (or group of individuals) who stand out for the time they give to the community.

Ian Alibston was presented with the first Civic Award for his management of the Hope Central Foodbank where he coordinates volunteers and oversees the logistics of operating this vital facility.

Next up was Paul Langley who received a Civic Award in recognition of his wide support of community activity. Paul was a founding member of the Knutsford Beer Festival, has raised thousands for charity with his LOL Cheshire comedy nights and quietly helps out behind the scenes at many other community events.

Paul Langley receiving a town award — *Paul Langley won one of the three Civic Awards*

The final Civic Award for 2025 went to Cathryn Walley. Cathryn helped establish Friends of St John’s Wood in 2020 and has served as its chair since then. Cathryn also recently stepped down from long serving roles supporting Manor Park School, having served both as a Governor of the school and on the Manor Park School PTA, helping bring the school community together.

Town Mayor, Cllr Colin Banks said “The presentation of these awards was in the final two weeks of my time as Town Mayor and it was a wonderful way to close out the year. The dedicated service our winners, and all those shortlisted for awards, give to our community is truly inspiring. These awards serve to shine a light on these community heroes and hope to encourage more to follow in their footsteps”

25Apr2025

New live painting event hits Knutsford this summer

Paint Knutsford!, a new open-air painting event from Knutsford Town Council, launches this summer

On the 17^thof August the live exhibition will give professional and amateur artists the opportunity to showcase their skills across the town centre, bringing art to life.

Artists will have the day to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art in a chosen location in Knutsford’s historic town centre.

The call is now out for artists to sign up to take part. Entry is £15 and artists can register at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/events/paint-knutsford.

On the day, they will have their blank canvas stamped at Knutsford Market Hall before going off to their chosen location to set up their ‘studio’ for the day. All artists will return to the Market Hall to have their piece of art displayed for a panel of judges and be in with a chance of winning a cash prize.

Visitors will be able to pick up a map of where the artist will be located and get to see art created in real time.

Entry for artists closes on 18 July 2025.

For further information on our events programme, visit www.discoverknutsford.co.uk or @DiscoverKnutsford on our social channels. Enquiries can be sent to enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01565 653 929.

24Apr2025

Town Awards 2025 Shortlist Announced

The shortlist for the 2025 Knutsford Town Awards has now been announced, with residents invited to attend the Town Meeting and Town Awards Presentation on Wednesday 30^th April at 7pm in Knutsford Little Theatre.

The Town Awards are run by Knutsford Town Council and were first held in 2013. The awards have been sponsored by the Forum of Private Business since they were launched.

Five individuals have been shortlisted for the Civic Award. Each year three awards are made under this category, which recognises the contribution of individuals to the community. This year’s nominees are:

Ian Albiston for voluntary work with Hope Central
Amanda Gamble for voluntary work at The Welcome
Paul Langley for supporting a wealth of community activity
Peter Sharratt for voluntary efforts around the Heath
Cathryn Walley for leading roles in Friends of St John’s Wood and formerly Manor Park School PTA and a governor of Manor Park School

Three young people have been shortlisted for the 2025 Youth Award. Like the Civic Awards this goes to an individual for their work in the community and is open to those aged 21 and under. This year’s nominees are:

Isabelle Foster for volunteering with 7^th Knutsford Brownies
Hattie Southall for clearing flood water on Boothfields
Ella Williamson for volunteering at the Crosstown Community Orchard

A new category was introduced this year which was only open for nominations from organisations for their own volunteers. The Volunteer of the Year award will recognised exemplary volunteering for a specific organisation in 2024. Two nominations have been shortlisted for the inaugural award:

Taf Evans (Crosstown Community Orchard)
Jenny Collis (Knutsford Heritage Centre)

The Community Award goes to a community organisation to recognise the work they do in the community. Three organisations are in the running to take home the shield in 2025:

Hope Central
Knutsford Little Theatre
Stable Minds

The final award will be the Business Award which recognises a business which gives back to the local community. Three have been shortlisted this year:

Holly Smith of The Legh Arms for providing free Christmas meals for those who might be alone
Di Healey for supporting the community through her community choirs
Morgan Edwards for supporting local fundraising initiatives

All are welcome (and encouraged) to attend the awards ceremony and show their support for the community, after which refreshments will be served.

Town Mayor, Cllr Colin Banks said “I am really looking forward to celebrating the work of our nominees at the award ceremony. People like our nominees are the lifeblood of our community and I urge you to join us and toast their success at the Knutsford Little Theatre”

The Town Awards are run by Knutsford Town Council and were first held in 2013. The awards have been sponsored by the Forum of Private Business since they were launched.

Ian Albiston for voluntary work with Hope Central
Amanda Gamble for voluntary work at The Welcome
Paul Langley for supporting a wealth of community activity
Peter Sharratt for voluntary efforts around the Heath
Cathryn Walley for leading roles in Friends of St John’s Wood and formerly Manor Park School PTA and a governor of Manor Park School

Isabelle Foster for volunteering with 7^th Knutsford Brownies
Hattie Southall for clearing flood water on Boothfields
Ella Williamson for volunteering at the Crosstown Community Orchard

Taf Evans (Crosstown Community Orchard)
Jenny Collis (Knutsford Heritage Centre)

The Community Award goes to a community organisation to recognise the work they do in the community. Three organisations are in the running to take home the shield in 2025:

Hope Central
Knutsford Little Theatre
Stable Minds

The final award will be the Business Award which recognises a business which gives back to the local community. Three have been shortlisted this year:

Holly Smith of The Legh Arms for providing free Christmas meals for those who might be alone
Di Healey for supporting the community through her community choirs
Morgan Edwards for supporting local fundraising initiatives

All are welcome (and encouraged) to attend the awards ceremony and show their support for the community, after which refreshments will be served.

23Apr2025

Knutsford to be part of nationwide beacon lighting

Knutsford will be joining towns and villages across the UK and commonwealth to mark the 80^th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday 8^th May with a commemorative service and beacon lighting.

2025 marks 80 years since Victory in Europe Day, a historic milestone marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. The evening service will pay tribute to the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of those who lived through the war, and to those who gave their lives in the fight for freedom. The service will be led by Knutsford Town Mayor, Cllr Colins Banks and his chaplin Rev Paul Deakin.

A memorial service will commence at 9:00pm at the Centennial War Memorial with a beacon being lit at 9:30pm as beacons are lit across the country.

For more information contact Gemma Jackson, Civic Events officer gemma.jackson@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

20Jan2025

Council sets 2025/26 budget

Knutsford Town Council has set its annual budget for the 2025/26 financial year, with a gross expenditure of £1,036,291. The precept, which is collected as part of council tax, has been set at £816,860 meaning a Band D household will pay £11.08 per month to fund the work of the Town Council, an increase of £1.09 per month on the 2024/25 amount.

The Town Council is responsible for a range of services and activity to support the local community, including:

Community grants and funding services like Citizens Advice
Community events such as the Music Festival, Pumpkin Path, Christmas Light Switch with new events Paint Knutsford and an outdoor cinema event planned for 2025
Maintaining local assets such as Knutsford Cemetery, Wallwood, Public Toilets, Higher Town Green and the Library Gardens
Delivering the Town Ranger service, including this year hiring an apprentice
Managing Knutsford Market Hall which is currently undergoing a refurbishment

Following funding for the first stage design of an active travel path from the Moor to Parkgate Lane, the council has allocated just under £40,000 to develop the technical design which will enable it to then seek funding for the delivery of the path.

Staffing costs have increased both due to the changes in employer national insurance contributions, which unlike Cheshire East Council the Town Council is not compensated for, and investment in a new staffing structure which will enable the council to deliver its ambitious strategic plan for the community whilst ensuring the council’s core administration is resilient.

The budget also makes provision for taking proposals for a Business Improvement District through to a referendum with local businesses, which could see an additional £2m investment managed by an independent board of traders over a five-year period to support the vitality of the town centre as a place to do business.

“Every penny in our budget is spent on Knutsford, from running events that bring the community together to undertaking small projects that make the town more special such as delivering our Nature Action Plan or celebrating our heritage” said Town Mayor Cllr Colin Banks.

“With the continued reduction in service levels from Cheshire East Council we are finding it more and more necessary to take care of things locally, and our budget enables us to work to make Knutsford a better place to live, work, visit and do business”

The full council budget can be found at: www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/council/finance

17Jan2025

Works on Knutsford Market Hall commence

The long-awaited refurbishment of Knutsford Market Hall has started this week.

Local building contractors, Built by Mode, were handed the keys to the building on Tuesday and have swiftly commenced the strip-out of the building. The first phase of work involves stripping out the existing stall structures, ceiling and floor coverings.

The programme then involves raising the level of the floor, building new stall structures improving security and storage for traders, the installation of a new accessible toilet and a kitchenette to support the hall’s use outside market hours.

“It is exciting to be underway with the refurbishment and we are really looking forward to welcoming the traders back into the building once works are complete” said Cllr April Johnson.

This project has received £160,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the balance of costs are funded through previous market hall income and the council’s capital reserve.

Works are expected to last until the end of March with old and new traders moving back in in April. Whilst works are ongoing, the Market Butcher and Heathfield Fruit and Veg are trading from the car park, whilst Market Hall Barber Pino is working from 2^nd Knutsford Scout Hut by appointment.

We will be posting regular updates on the works via social media.

7Jan2025

Corporate Peer Review Report Published

A report on how Knutsford Town Council can work to improve how it delivers for the community has been published.

The report is the second stage of the Corporate Peer Challenge, a review which was initiated by the Town Council to guide its improvement. A peer challenge is an external review of how a council is performing and how it can improve as an organisation to better serve its community.

In November, the peer challenge team spent three days in Knutsford holding 24 meetings and speaking with over 75 people including council staff, councillors, local residents and community/business representatives. The team used their experience and knowledge of local government to reflect on the information presented to them by people they met, things they saw and material that they read.

The report praised the council’s effective governance and financial management and the positive civility and respect displayed in the council chamber. Peers noted that the council has a lot to celebrate and that there is a real commitment within the council, and from residents and businesses, to make the town a great place to live and visit. The report highlights that the council has a number of good examples of partnership working, is engaged with the local community and a strong staff team with good morale.

Looking to where improvement can be made, the peer team found that the council’s ambition was not matched with adequate resource to deliver and that the council has a tendency to take on projects before completing existing ones. The report highlights a lack of capacity in the Town Clerk’s role and the need to increase resilience and staffing levels.

The report also suggested that the visibility of councillors could be improved with greater support for their development to support them in their roles as leaders and in delivering effective challenge and strategic oversight of the council’s operations.

A more strategic approach to asset management is another recommendation, with peers noting the challenges around the delivery of a refurbishment of the Market Hall, the vacant 60 King Street and the need for investment at the Council Offices of which the team said “the building is impressive from the outside and this gives a false impression of it as a workspace. The internal space is in a state of disrepair and accessibility is poor”

In total 23 recommendations were made which are summarised as:

Review the strategic plan priorities and duration
Undertake a staffing review
Enhance the resilience in respect of the Town Clerk/RFO role
Continue engagement with CEC regarding services and joint working
Develop an asset management strategy
Support the creation of a Business Improvement District
Develop a communications strategy to improve communications
Develop a procurement strategy to improve procurement
Commission an external health and safety review
Review the council’s equal opportunities policy
Undertake equality impact assessments for activity
Increase the visibility of councillors
Improve support for councillors to develop their roles
Resolve issues with 60 King St and the Market Hall
Undertake improvements to the council offices
Promote election processes to see contested elections
Improve the clarity of decision within committees and link more strongly to strategy
Develop stronger challenge from councillors in meetings
Increase councillor/officer collaboration
Develop a strategic risk register
Improve the robustness of business plans
Invest in project management expertise
Implement lessons learned exercises

“We initiated this challenge because we are committed to continual improvement and ensuring Knutsford has the best town council it can have and we’d like to thank the peer team and all those in the community who gave time to participate in the review” said Town Mayor, Cllr Colin Banks.

“The purpose of the review was to identify areas for improvement, so we are not disappointed by any of the findings. We will now begin working on addressing each recommendation and as a result be better placed to serve Knutsford”

The report will be discussed at the Town Council meeting on Monday 6^th January. A working group will then develop an action plan to address each recommendation for the March council meeting after which it will be submitted to the LGA/NALC. After 12 months, the Peer Challenge Team will meet with the council again to review how the council is progressing with its improvement.

The full report can be read here: Corporate Peer Challenge Report

3Jan2025

2025 Millennium Bursary open for applications

Calling all second-year university students residing in Knutsford or Toft! Applications for the 2025 Knutsford Millennium Bursary are now open, offering a valuable £715 boost to your final year projects and dissertations.

This annual partnership between Knutsford Town Council and the Knutsford Lions has been supporting local students for over two decades, recognising academic merit and alleviating financial pressures during the crucial final year.

Whether students need funding for research materials, travel for fieldwork, or simply a helping hand with living expenses, the Millennium Bursary can make a real difference. Past recipients have used the award to access specialist software, conduct international research, and even purchase essential equipment for their projects.

The application process is straightforward. If you’re a second-year student with a term-time address in Knutsford or Toft, all you need to do is complete the application form on the Knutsford Town Council website and submit a written statement outlining your academic aspirations and how the bursary will help you achieve them.

Applications are open until 14^th February, so don’t miss this chance to secure additional support for your final year project or dissertation.

Town Mayor Cllr Colin Banks said “For 25 years the Town Council has been providing this annual award to support one of our students in their higher education. I am greatly looking forward to seeing the applications for the 2025 award and encourage all second year university students from Knutsford to consider applying”

Applications can be completed at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/services/millennium-bursary

20Nov2024

£200k refurbishment agreed for Market Hall

A £200,000 refurbishment of Knutsford Market Hall has been agreed by Knutsford Town Council with work set to commence in January 2025.

The project is being funded through a £160,000 grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the balance drawn from the Town Council’s market hall and capital reserves.

The new scheme will involve:

Removal of the suspended ceiling to reveal the sky lights
An upgraded accessible toilet with baby change facilities
Replacement stall structures with shutters
Redecoration including a new level floor
New glass automatic doors with security shutters

The refreshed Market Hall will have an open central space which will host pop-up traders on market days and provide space for events and community activity outside market opening hours to make the building even more of a community asset.

“The refurbishment will deliver a more light, modern and flexible Market Hall with renewed stall structures and fresh facilities. It will help us attract new shoppers, new traders and create a true community asset” said Cllr Bryan Hartley, a member of the Market Hall refurbishment working group.

The Town Council has appointed the local firm Built by Mode as the contractor to deliver the refurbishment.

Works are scheduled to take place across 12 weeks starting in January and the Market Hall will be closed during this period. The Town Council is working with the Market Butcher and Heathfields Fruit and Veg to arrange temporary trading space during the closure, which takes place during a quiet retail period. The Town Council has waived rents for October to December to compensate for the lost trading period in the new year.

“Whilst this isn’t as big a project as we originally wanted to deliver, it will still give the Market Hall a new lease of life and enable us to continue providing a home for small local businesses whilst ensuring the ongoing viability of the asset.” added Cllr April Johnson, who also serves on the working group overseeing the project.

4Oct2024

Residents invited to join focus group on town council performance

Knutsford Town Council is looking for a group of residents to take part in a focus group meeting to help assess how the council is performing as part of a Corporate Peer Challenge.

A Corporate Peer Challenge is an external review of how a council is performing and how it can improve as an organisation to better serve its community. Peer challenges are common for principal authorities like Cheshire East Council and now available for Town Councils too. The Town Council will be the seventh Town Council in the country to have a corporate peer challenge, following Houghton Regis, Morecambe, Cirencester and Falmouth amongst others.

The peer challenge will see a panel comprising a representative of the Local Government Association, National Association of Local Councils, a councillor from another council and a clerk from another council coming for a three-day visit to meet with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

The peer challenge team will meet with councillors and staff, partner organisations such as Knutsford in Bloom and Knutsford Allotment Society, as well as market traders, local businesses and community leaders.

The Town Council also wants to arrange a panel of around eight residents for the peer challenge team to meet with on Wednesday 6^th November at 4:15pm and is looking for volunteers from across the community.

“We are keen to create a group representing the diversity of our community and we aim to create a comprise of residents from across the town and at different stages of life” said Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green.

Volunteers do not need any particular skills or to prepare, they just need to be willing to answer questions and discuss Knutsford and the town council as part of a group.

To apply to be part of the panel, simply complete a form at: www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/cpc

Following two days of meetings, the peer challenge team will present its findings to the council and stakeholders following which a formal report will be issued and published alongside an action plan from the council of how it will respond to any recommendations.

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