20/037 PRESENT
Councillors Gardiner, Houghton, Abel, Beswick, Coan, Dalzell, Forbes, Gray, Malloy, McCulloch, Nicholson and Robertson
In attendance: A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
20/038 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Power (personal business)
20/039 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Cllr Forbes, McCulloch and Nicholson declared a prejudicial interest in 20/045 on the grounds of being trustees of charities which are to receive a grant from the Council in the 2021/22 financial year and noted that if the Council was to discuss the grants specifically, they would leave the meeting.
20/040 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public wished to address the meeting.
20/041 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes.
20/042 COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes of committees which have met since the previous ordinary meeting were noted.
20/043 CHESHIRE EAST COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Cllr Abel reported that he was continuing to press for information on the frequency of gully emptying and following up on previous assurances that the ward councillors would receive an explanation as to why any roads put forward for resurfacing had not been programmed. Cllr Abel further reported that members and officers were receiving carbon literacy training.
Cllr Gardiner reported that the Conservative Group had submitted a motion to remove parking charges to support local businesses in the run up to Christmas but the Cabinet had decided not to progress this policy. Cllr Gardiner further highlighted that the council was currently undertaking consultations on parking, local transport plans and the budget.
Members raised the following issues/queries:
- The poor condition of the Canute Place road surface
- The number of town centre street lights which were currently not working.
- When would green areas at Mobberley Road roundabout be reinstated and will replacement trees be planted?
- Is there an update on the unauthorised development at Broadoak Lane, Mobberley?
- Will Tatton Park remain open during the current lockdown?
It was noted that reinstatement of the green areas at the roundabout was likely to be undertaken during growing season. Cllr Gardiner advised that the judge for the Broadoak Lane injunction had determined an in-person hearing was required which had delayed the matter.
With respect to Tatton Park Cllr Abel advised that Tatton Park management was considering the matter and that whilst he expected they would be more amenable to keeping it open during the current lockdown for local exercise there was concern about it drawing visitors from further afield.
20/044 MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Cllr Forbes reported on attendance at a meeting of the Shaw Heath and Longridge partnership and that he was awaiting the output of the meeting which discussed where there were shortfalls in service provision in the area.
Cllr Forbes further reported on attendance at an update meeting for the M6 J19 improvement project.
Cllr Malloy reported on attendance with Cllr Abel at a meeting with Cheshire East Council to discuss joint funding of a subsidised town circular bus and that Cheshire East Council undertook to advise the likely cost of such a subsidy.
20/045 COUNCIL BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2021/22
Cllr Beswick left the meeting during the discussion of this item.
It was RESOLVED to approve the 2021/22 budget and reserves as presented and set a precept of £455,298.
20/046 MAYORAL DUTIES
Cllr Beswick re-joined the meeting during this item.
The list of duties set out in Annex A were noted. Cllr Gardiner advised that due to COVID he did not currently have any plans for fundraising events but that he would be working with the Acting Civic Events Officer to develop a programme in due course.
20/047 PAYMENTS
The schedule of payments made since the previous ordinary meeting were noted.
20/048 ACTIONS LOG
The log was noted.
20/049 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public wished to address the meeting.
20/050 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK
No members raised any questions.
20/051 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 1st March at 7pm.