These are draft minutes that have not yet been approved by the council. The minutes are subject to change and will be confirmed at the next meeting.

T25/060 PRESENT

Councillors Johnson, Gray, Banks, Coan, Hartley, Robertson and Watson.

A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk).

T25/061 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllrs Russell (health) and Wood (business).

 

T25/062 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

Cllr Hartley declared that he had spoken with a number of people regarding a prospective Knutsford UK Town of Culture bid.

 

T25/063 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

A resident spoke in relation to the UK Town of Culture competition, suggesting it was a great opportunity for Knutsford, that he had written a draft application and that he believed there had never been an opportunity for the potential of so much good for the town.

 

T25/064 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held 17th November 2025.

 

T25/065 REVIEW OF YEAR-TO-DATE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

The year-to-date income and expenditure report was noted and the Town Clerk took question from members.

 

T25/066 TOWN CENTRE MANAGEMENT REPORT

The report was noted. It was queried why engagement on social media and the Visit Cheshire and Chester website was lower for December.

 

T25/067 BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

It was RESOLVED to approve the baseline agreement, with the addition of reference to the town centre maps.

It was RESOLVED to seek approval from Full Council for the ability to co-opt a representative of the BID to sit on the committee in a non-voting capacity.

 

T25/068 MARKET HALL CASUAL TRADERS FEE AMENDMENT

It was RESOLVED to amend the casual trader cost to £20 per day inclusive of VAT.

 

T25/069 UK TOWN OF CULTURE COMPETITION

The committee discussed the merits of the competition, the work required to develop a comprehensive bid and the town’s likely success.

It was RESOLVED to issue a press release highlighting the competition, noting that the council does not have resource to develop the bid but wishes to make the town aware for any group that wishes to, with a deadline for contact the Town Mayor to form a board.

It was agreed the board would be the accountable body for the bid.

 

T25/070 TOURISM STRATEGY

It was RESOLVED to approve the tourism strategy action plan.

 

T25/071 TOWN CENTRE VISITOR AND FOOTFALL SURVEYS DECEMBER 2025

The report was noted.

 

T25/072 BUSINESS CHRISTMAS SURVEY

The report was noted.

 

T25/073 TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN

Cllr Johnson reported that the sub-groups were meeting with good engagement from the resident representatives on the groups. The working group had met and received positive feedback from the sub-groups as to their progress.

 

T25/074 STRATEGIC PLAN

The progress against strategic plan actions was noted.

 

T25/075 OUTSTANDING ACTIONS AND PROJECT UPDATES REPORT

The report was noted.

 

T25/076 COMMITTEE WORKPLAN

The workplan was noted.

 

T25/077 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK

No questions were raised.

 

T25/078 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting will be held on 13th April at 8pm.