PRESENT

Councillors Coan, Beswick, Forbes, Nicholson, Gray, Gardiner, Robertson, Malloy and McCulloch

A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk) and Cllrs Morris and Lowe

 

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr Houghton (personal business)

 

DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

Cllr McCulloch declared a personal interest with respect to 60 King Street as chairman of the Friends of Knutsford Heritage Centre.

Cllr Lowe declared a personal interest with respect to 60 King Street on the grounds of knowing personnel connected to a business which would be interested in operating in the premises and reported he had referred the enquiry to the Town Clerk.

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

No members of the public were present.

 

REVIEW OF YEAR-TO-DATE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

The report was noted.

 

MARKET HALL REDEVELOPMENT

Cllr Morris joined during this item.

Members expressed support for the commissioning of a quantity surveyor to support the development of a business case for the redevelopment of the Market Hall and raised the following points which the business case must consider:

  • Consideration of renting the apartments at market vs reduced rent
  • Implications of the requirement for Party Wall Act agreements
  • Implications of changes to building regulations
  • Which professionals would need to be engaged through the project

 

PUBLIC TOILET COMMERCIAL SPACES PROJECT

 It was noted that the project had gone overbudget due to a number of unforeseen and unplanned amendments to the required works. Members discussed the need for improved reporting for future projects.

Members agreed that all Assets Committee members should have the opportunity to review the lease bids and provide guidance to the Town Clerk on the award of the leases.

 

ACTIONS LOG

The log was noted.

 

QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK

 The Town Clerk responded to a question stating the Council Office structural survey would be circulated to the sub-committee members.

 

60 KING STREET

The public and press were excluded from the meeting at this stage. Cllr Lowe joined the meeting.

It was noted that Tricolor Associates had been appointed as consultants to support the development of a Heritage Lottery Fund bid. It was agreed a working group comprising Cllrs Robertson, Beswick, McCulloch and Nicholson should be formed to work with the Town Clerk in overseeing the commission and provide the consultants with member input at appropriate stages. It was noted that any significant input would be determined through the committee or a member briefing.

The condition and security of the building was discussed it was agreed the Town Clerk take any necessary actions to ensure the security and good maintenance of the building whilst it is vacant.