25/015 PRESENT
Councillors Hartley, Coan, Dalzell, Forrest, Gardiner, Gray, Johnson, Lowe, McCulloch, Mears, Robertson, Russell, Watson and Wood
In attendance: A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
25/016 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Banks (personal business).
25/017 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
No member declared an interest in any item under discussion.
25/018 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident spoke in relation to the options agreement between Cheshire East Council and Dewscope for the acquisition of the public open space to facilitate the Longridge development noting the council had published an incorrect plan which she had had corrected, that borough councillor Dean would be on the committee discussing the renewal of the agreement and that she sought the borough council not to delegate final agreement of the document to officers. They spoke further in relation to the Bruntwood development suggesting community group input into the council’s engagement should be considered and in relation to the leisure centre questioning when the borough council would bring forward investment proposals.
25/019 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held 12th May 2025.
25/020 COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes of committee meetings were noted.
25/021 CHESHIRE EAST COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
The written report of Cllr Dean was noted. Cllr Gardiner reported that he was now on the Assurance Panel which work to tackle the issues raised in the corporate peer review, that he and Cllr Dean had were requesting a briefing from officers on the leisure centre investment.
Cllr Gardiner was congratulated on his election as Leader of the Conservative Group at the council.
25/023 MEMBERS’ REPORTS
The written reports were noted. Cllr Johnson reported that Friends of the Moor was still looking for a contractor to repair the shelter, that the Knutsford Bee Trail launch event had been very successful and highlighted that Music on the Moor was again being held as part of the music festival.
Cllr McCulloch highlighted the upcoming Welcome Fun Day at Toft Cricket Club and that the Welcome and Great Places were holding a seminar to support young people not in education, training or employment.
Cllr Wood highlighted the world record tallest wickets at Toft Cricket Club as part of their fundraising efforts for a new clubhouse.
25/024 STANDING ORDERS REVIEW
It was RESOLVED to approve the insertion of the standing order on consultations as outlined in report C-25-05.
25/025 GINNELS IMPROVEMENT BUDGET
It was RESOLVED to approve the insertion of a £7,500 budget for ginnel improvement projects in the Town Centre Committee budget, drawn from an underspend in its 2024/25 budget.
25/026 CORPORATE PEER CHALLENGE ACTION PLAN
The progress on delivering the action plan was noted. It was agreed that seeking a meeting with the leadership of Cheshire East Council and developing the process for a lessons learnt review (and holding one for the Market Hall project) should be prioritised.
25/027 FULL COUNCIL WORKING GROUPS
It was RESOLVED to appoint Cllrs Dalzell, Hartley, Forrest, McCulloch and Mears to the Corporate Peer Challenge working group and Cllrs Coan, Dalzell, Hartley, Johnson and McCulloch to the Honours working group.
25/028 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY REVIEW
The fixed asset register as at 31st March was noted.
It was RESOLVED to approve the annual governance statements 2024/25.
It was RESOLVED to approve the annual accounting statements 2024/25.
25/029 MAYORAL DUTIES
Cllr Hartley reported on mayoral duties as set out in the appendix.
25/030 PAYMENTS
The recent payment reports were noted, and it was suggested the Finance Committee should review the limit of the corporate credit card with a view to increasing it to remove the need for personal cards to be used.
25/031 OUTSTANDING MATTERS LOG
The log was noted.
25/032 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident raised the issue of the collection of business waste bins on Old Market Place, stated that the council needs to increase the amount it commits to reserves to support future play area investments and praised the quality of written reports at the town council in comparison to the borough council.
25/033 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK
Cllr Hartley reported that Haig Road had been partially resurfaced and that Redrow had opened a community fund asking if this could be promoted to local groups.
The Town Clerk responded to questions stating that the council could look at a project to improve the accessibility of the River Lily bridge, noting that it was unlikely the borough council rights of way team had the budget for it and that the town centre map was designed to cover just the town centre, but that it would be explored whether the Builders Arms and Legh Arms could be incorporated without detrimentally reducing the scale of the map.
The Town Clerk reported on the Crown Estate engagement event stating that it was attended by roughly 50/50 community representatives and Crown Estate representatives and led by the end developer; that it stimulated good discussion on the needs of the town including the types and tenure of housing, design and business / community use.
The Town Clerk further reported on an event he chaired with Town Clerks from councils within combined authority areas stating that the key learning points had been not to expect a close relationship with the elected mayor/combined authority, that much engagement will take place through the principal authority and that there is likely to be at least a 12 month delay before any authority commences any significant activity. Cllr Gardiner added that he had met with Lord Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley, where it was noted that mayors are likely to be given further planning powers.
25/034 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting will be held on 8th September 2025 at 7pm.