22/000 PRESENT
Councillors Houghton, Nicholson, Abel, Beswick, Dalzell, Forbes, Gray, Gardiner, Lowe, Malloy, McCulloch, Morris and Robertson
In attendance: A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
22/001 ELECTION OF THE TOWN MAYOR
It was proposed by Cllr Forbes, seconded by Cllr Robertson and RESOLVED that Cllr Houghton be elected Town Mayor.
Cllr Houghton signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
22/002 ELECTION OF THE DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR
It was proposed by Cllr Beswick, seconded by Cllr Dalzell and RESOLVED that Cllr Nicholson be elected Deputy Town Mayor.
Cllr Nicholson signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
22/003 APPOINTMENT OF THE MAYOR’S CADET
Cllr Houghton announced the appointment of Jamie Duncan of the Knutsford Explorer Scouts as Mayor’s Cadet 2022/23.
22/004 APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES
It was RESOLVED to make the following appointments:
| Organisation | Representative |
| CCG Combined Surgeries Project | Cllr Forbes and Cllr Dalzell (deputy) |
| Cheshire Association of Local Councils | Cllr McCulloch |
| Citizens Advice | Cllr Houghton |
| Crosstown Community Orchard | Cllr Dalzell |
| Friends of College Wood | Cllr Malloy |
| Friends of St John’s Wood | Cllr McCulloch |
| Friends of the Heath | Cllr Gray |
| Friends of the Moor | Cllr Gardiner |
| Knutsford Heritage Centre | Cllr Nicholson |
| Knutsford in Bloom | Cllr Nicholson |
| Knutsford Old Folks Club Committee (Jubilee Hall) | Cllr Dalzell |
| Longridge and Shaw Heath Community Partnership | Cllr Forbes and Cllr McCulloch (deputy) |
| Manchester Airport Consultative Committee | Cllr Nicholson |
| Mid Cheshire Line Community Rail Partnership CIC | Cllr Malloy |
| Mid Cheshire Line Community Rail Partnership Steering Group | Cllr Malloy and Cllr Coan (deputy) |
| The Knutsford Fund | Cllr McCulloch |
| Town Centre Community Partnership | Cllr Gray and Cllr Dalzell (deputy) |
22/005 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES AND BANK SIGNATORIES
It was RESOLVED to make the following appointments:
Assets and Operations Committee
Cllrs Beswick, Coan, Forbes, Gray, Malloy, McCulloch, Power and Robertson.
Chairman Cllr Coan
Deputy Chairman Cllr Nicholson
Environment and General Purposes Committee
Cllrs Abel, Beswick, Lowe, McCulloch, Morris and Power
Chairman Cllr Morris
Deputy Chairman Cllr McCulloch
Events and Town Centre Management Committee
Cllrs Coan, Dalzell, Lowe, Malloy, McCulloch and Morris.
Chairman Cllr Morris
Deputy Chairman Cllr Coan
Finance Committee
Cllrs Forbes, Gardiner, Malloy, McCulloch and Robertson.
Chairman Cllr Robertson
Deputy Chairman Cllr Malloy
Personnel Committee
Cllrs Beswick, Coan, Dalzell, Forbes and Gardiner.
Chairman Cllr Nicholson
Deputy Chairman Cllr Beswick
Planning and Licensing Committee
Cllrs Dalzell, Gray, Lowe, McCulloch, Morris, and Robertson.
Chairman Cllr McCulloch
Deputy Chairman Cllr Robertson
It was noted that the Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor are ex-officio members of all committees.
Council Offices Sub-committee
Cllrs Coan, Forbes, Gray, McCulloch and Nicholson
Chairman – Cllr Coan
Deputy Chairman – Cllr Forbes
Grievances and Appeals Sub-committee
Cllrs Coan, Dalzell and Nicholson
Reserve 1 – Cllr McCulloch
Reserve 2 – Cllr Beswick
Reserve 3 – Cllr Forbes
Bank Signatories
The Town Mayor, Deputy Town Mayor, Finance Committee Chairman, Finance Committee Deputy Chairman and the Town Clerk (for administrative purposes).
22/006 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs Coan (health) and Power (personal business)
22/007 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Cllr Houghton declared a pecuniary interest in 22/011 on the grounds of being recipient of the allowance.
22/008 STATEMENT FROM THE NEWLY ELECTED TOWN MAYOR
Cllr Houghton praised the dedication of his fellow councillors and thanked them for the honour of being elected Town Mayor. Cllr Houghton gave a short speech announcing that during his term he would be fundraising for Knutsford Scouts and to establish a Knutsford branch of the Men in Sheds movement.
Cllr Houghton announced Mrs Kate Houghton as Mayoress and invested her with her chain of office. Cllr Houghton announced the appointment of Rev Nigel Atkinson as Mayor’s Chaplain.
Cllr Houghton highlighted the council’s ambitions over the next twelve months which included launching a Food and Drink Festival and redeveloping plans for the renovations of 60 King Street, the Council Offices and the Market Hall.
22/009 STATEMENT FROM THE OUTGOING TOWN MAYOR
Cllr Gardiner reflected on his 18 months in office and the early challenges of the pandemic on his fundraising efforts. Cllr Gardiner reported that the final accounts for his fundraising efforts were being finalised and would be announced in due course. Cllr Gardiner thanked all councillors and staff for their work and support during his term and noted his particular thanks to the Civic Events Officer and his husband who served as consort.
22/010 VOTE OF THANKS TO THE OUTGOING TOWN MAYOR
Cllr Nicholson proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Gardiner congratulating him on a successful term as Town Mayor. Cllr Houghton presented Cllr Gardiner with his Past Mayor’s Medal.
22/011 MAYORAL ALLOWANCE
Cllr Houghton left the meeting.
It was then RESOLVED to pay an allowance of £645 to the Town Mayor.
Cllr Houghton re-joined the meeting.
22/012 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public wished to address the council.
22/013 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday 23rd May at 7:30pm.