C23/028 PRESENT

Councillors Banks, Coan, Dalzell, Gardiner, Hartley, McCulloch and Russell

A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)

 

C23/029 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr Forrest (health)

 

C23/030 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

Cllr Dalzell declared a personal interest in C23/036 as a governor of Manor Park School, Cllr Gardiner declared a personal interest in C23/036 as a former chair of governor of Manor Park School.

Cllr Banks declared a personal interest in C23/034 on the grounds of being a friend of the speaker.

 

C23/031 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

No members of the public were present.

 

C23/032 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was RESOLVED[1] to approve the minutes of the meeting held 4th September.

 

C23/033 REVIEW OF YEAR TO DATE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

The income and expenditure year to date was noted.

 

C23/034 KNUTSFORD ROTARY CLUB

Simon Carin of Knutsford Rotary Club gave a presentation on the work of the club, noting that its membership was of an aging demographic and was aways open to new members. Mr Carin reported that the club currently has 20 members and its work is focused both locally and fundraising for Rotary International’s projects, such as eradicating polio.

 

C23/035 CHESHIRE FIRE SERVICE COMMUNITY RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN

Neil Griffiths of Cheshire Fire and Rescue presented on the draft plan which retains 35 engines across the county and took questions from members on the service. It was noted the plan would see Knutsford fire station return to day crewing in 2025.

It was RESOLVED[2] to support the plan and particularly the changes to Knutsford station.

 

C23/036 SCHOOL PLACES PROVISION

The committee received a report with data provided by Cheshire East Council on the current availability of primary and secondary school places in Knutsford. It was noted that there is sufficient primary places for children entering Reception, but some schools did not have capacity for in-year transfers. It was also noted that the same applied for Knutsford Academy, with capacity for all Knutsford students in year 7, but some years having no capacity for in-year transfers.

It was RESOLVED to note the current school places provision for Knutsford.

 

C23/037 COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARDS

It was RESOLVED to recommend to the Environment and Transport Committee that it fund two new noticeboards to be installed on the Freeholders Hut and by the Parkgate parade of shops.

 

C23/038 STRATEGIC PLAN

The committee noted the draft action plan for 2024/25 and agreed to defer formal consideration to the next meeting to consider workload in light of pending decisions in respect of the Market Hall renovation project.

 

C23/039 OUTSTANDING MATTERS LOG

The log was noted.

 

C23/040 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK

The Town Clerk responded to questions advising that a light for the alley from the Council Offices to Stanley Road could be considered, that the record for a council meeting would be a Finance Committee budget meeting, that Cllr Gray was leading on the establishment of a Knutsford Men’s Shed and noting the national volume of discarded pumpkin flesh at Halloween.

 

C23/041  DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 8th January 2024 at 7:30pm.

[1] Cllr McCulloch abstained from voting.

[2] Cllr Coan abstained from voting as a member of the Fire Authority.