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.

25/053 PRESENT

Councillors Hartley, Coan, Banks, Dalzell, Gardiner, Gray, Johnson, Lowe, McCulloch, Mears, Russell, and Wood

In attendance: A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)

 

25/054 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllrs Forrest, Robertson and Watson (personal business).

 

25/055 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

Cllr Gardiner declared that he would abstain from discussion and voting on 25/061 (BID) so as not to fetter his position at Cheshire East Council.

Cllrs Coan and Gray declared a prejudicial interest in 25/061 (BID) as trustees of a levy baying charity.

 

25/056 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

No members of the public were present.

 

25/057 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held 8th September.

 

25/058 COMMITTEE MINUTES

The minutes of committee meetings were noted.

Cllr McCulloch raised the Planning Committee’s frustration at Cheshire East Council’s new planning portal.

 

25/059 CHESHIRE EAST COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

The written report of Cllrs Dean and Gardiner were noted.  Cllr Gardiner explained that the council had utilised ‘exceptional financial support’ and would be seeking further EFS as part of its budget, explaining that this was not a grant but the ability to borrow to fund revenue expenditure. Cllr Gardiner further reported that the opposition group would be presenting an alternative budget at the February full council meeting.

 

25/060 MEMBERS’ REPORTS

The written report of Cllr Dalzell was noted. Cllr Banks reported he was continuing to press Manchester Airport to explore provision of a bus service to Knutsford to enable residents to commute to the airport for work.

 

25/061 KNUTSFORD BID

Cllrs Coan and Gray left the meeting.

It was RESOLVED to vote ‘yes’ in the BID Ballot in respect of the three votes the council had.

 

25/062 CORPORATE PEER CHALLENGE

The progress in delivering actions to address the recommendations was noted and it was further noted that the review report was expected within the next month.

 

25/063 MAYORAL DUTIES

Cllr Hartley reported on mayoral duties as set out in the appendix.

 

25/064 PAYMENTS

The recent payment reports were noted and it was requested that the credit card report group payments by theme.

 

25/065 OUTSTANDING ACTIONS, PROJECT UPDATES AND WORKPLAN REPORTS

The reports were noted.

 

25/066 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

No members of the public were present.

25/067 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK

The Town Clerk responded to questions advising that:

  • The new bins for Canute Place were awaiting installation
  • The disappearance of the dog-poo bag dispenser at Dog Wood would be investigated
  • It was not possible to extend the road closure outside the centennial memorial on Remembrance Sunday due to diversion requirements
  • A licence to install the cycle shelter was still awaited from CEC
  • The blocking of a bin outside Giovanni’s would be investigated
  • Enquiries would be made as to whether the road sweeper could divert from the town centre to other areas
  • The Planning Committee could consider raising a complaint regarding the portal at its next meeting

 

25/068 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting will be held on 12th January 2026 at 7pm.

 

25/069 60 KING STREET

It was RESOLVED to exclude the public and press on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

The Town Clerk reported on the Red Book valuation for the building.

It was RESOLVED to:

  1. Continue the current process with Bruntwood looking to secure a partner to convert the upper floors to residential and generate an income from the ground floors
  2. Advise Bruntwood of any further potential development partners which should be invited to provide a proposal
  3. Seek a meeting for Bruntwood and the developer with Cheshire East Council’s Conservation Officer to understand the acceptability of internal modifications
  4. Issue a press statement updating the community and setting out Bruntwood’s support

Cllr Gray voted against the resolution.