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.
25/070 PRESENT
Councillors Hartley, Coan, Banks, Dalzell, Gardiner, Gray, Johnson, McCulloch, and Robertson
In attendance: A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
25/071 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs Forrest and Russell (personal business), Watson (business), Lowe, Mears and Wood (health)
25/072 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
No member declared an interest in any item.
25/073 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident enquired as to the current status of work to bring 60 King Street back into use, stating council reserves should be used to restore the building to bring in revenue income.
25/074 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held 10th November 2025.
25/075 COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes of committee meetings were noted.
25/075 CHESHIRE EAST COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
The written report of Cllrs Dean and Gardiner were noted. Cllr Coan reported that the finances of the Fire Authority were in good order and that the final renovations of stations were due to commence shortly.
It was noted that it there was likely to be further devolution of services/assets to parish and town councils, that it was disappointing the lack of progress the borough council was making in its transformation programme and it was queried if the borough council could afford to be part of a combined authority.
25/076 MEMBERS’ REPORTS
The written reports of Cllrs Dalzell and Hartley were noted.
Cllr Banks apologised that he was unable to attend the most recent Technical Advisory Group meeting of Manchester Airport. Cllr Banks reported he had received a response to the suggestion of the staff bus being extended to Knutsford that it was not possible to mix staff and public passengers; he would therefore instead lobby Cheshire East Council to extend the 88 bus to the airport.
25/077 MULTI-YEAR FUNDING AGREEMENTS
Toft Cricket Club
It was noted that works to rebuild the Toft Cricket Club clubhouse are due to start in 2026 and that the council had previously added the project to the CIL funding list with an allocation of £50,000, which the council does not forecast to hold in time. It was noted that Toft Cricket Club had submitted an application under the large grant scheme for £30,000 to cover the shortfall in CIL funding.
It was RESOLVED to enter into an agreement to provide £15,000 in 2026/27, £15,000 in 2027/28 (potentially funded by CIL) and up to £20,000 of CIL, subject to continued suitable provision for community use of the building.
Cllrs Dalzell and McCulloch voted against the resolution.
Stable Minds
It was noted that Stable Minds applied for a £27,000 large grant to fund core operating costs (rent, water and electricity) for its two mental health centres and that the Finance Committee referred the application to Full Council for consideration as a multi-year funding agreement. Representatives of the organisation were invited to address the meeting and took questions from members.
It was RESOLVED to provide a £27,000 grant for one year and that this be reviewed for future years.
Knutsford Royal May Day Committee
It was noted that the Knutsford Royal May Day Committee had applied for a four-year funding agreement to provide £9,500 per year for the cost of the event. It was noted that following a meeting with the committee members the committee required more support than direct funding.
A proposal to support the fundraising efforts of the organisation, to request a council member be invited to join their committee to help develop funding proposals and consistently help the organisation raise funds, was proposed and seconded but failed.
It was RESOLVED to:
- Place £9,500 into an earmarked reserve
- Await the publication of the 2025 accounts to understand the year end position of the event
- Review at the next council meeting whether to make a financial contribution for the new financial year
- Request that a member be appointed on their committee to help with fundraising
25/078 RELEASE OF RESERVE FOR MARKET HALL VENTILATION WORKS
It was RESOLVED to approve the release of up to £9,000 from the capital receipts reserve for the air conditioning and ventilation works at the Market Hall.
25/079 RELEASE OF RESERVE FOR COUNCIL OFFICES IMPROVEMENT PLAN COSTS
It was RESOLVED to approve the release of up to £10,000 from the capital receipts reserve for the commissioning of professional support as required in the development of the plan.
25/080 FUNDING OF CCTV PROVISION ON THE MOOR
It was RESOLVED not to make provision for funding of CCTV on the budget and to look at improved lighting at the Moor before considering provision of CCTV.
The meeting was adjourned for a five-minute recess.
25/081 CORPORATE PEER CHALLENGE
The corporate peer challenge review report was noted. The planned actions to address the additional recommendations were noted and no additions made.
25/082 STRATEGIC PLAN ACTIONS 2025/26 AND 2026/27
The progress in delivering the current year action plan was noted. The action plan for 2026/27 was noted.
25/083 COUNCIL BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2026/27
It was noted that whilst the response to the budget engagement period was low, that it was worthwhile. It was noted a video of the presentation would be published on the council website.
It was RESOLVED to:
- Approve the draft budget as presented
- Approve the allocation of reserves as presented
- Set a precept for 2026/27 of £939,900
25/084 ANNUAL STANDING ORDERS REVIEW
The amendments detailed in the report were proposed and seconded and stood adjourned without debate to the next meeting.
25/085 MAYORAL DUTIES
Cllr Hartley reported on mayoral duties as set out in the appendix.
25/086 PAYMENTS
The recent payment reports were noted.
25/087 OUTSTANDING ACTIONS, PROJECT UPDATES AND WORKPLAN REPORTS
The reports were noted.
25/088 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
25/089 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK
The Town Clerk responded to a question advising that Bruntwood was expected to provide an update on 60 King Street by the end of February for the next Assets and Operations Committee meeting.
25/090 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting will be held on 2nd March at 7pm.
APPENDIX A: MAYORAL ENGAGEMENTS
| Date | Event | Attended by |
| 11/11/2025 | Remembrance Service | Town Mayor |
| 13/11/2025 | Boots Opticians Reopening | Town Mayor |
| 14/11/2025 | Winsford Town Mayor’s Mega 80s Night | Town Mayor |
| 14/11/2025 | Knutsford Lions fundraising Charity Concert | Town Mayor |
| 15/11/2025 | Knutsford Christmas Lights Switch On | Town Mayor |
| 18/11/2025 | Centennial Place Coffee Morning | Town Mayor |
| 22/11/2025 | Brook St Chapel Christmas Fair | Town Mayor |
| 22/11/2025 | Tatton Singers Choral Concert | Town Mayor |
| 28/11/2025 | Oxfam Reopening | Town Mayor |
| 28/11/2025 | Knutsford Tennis Club Junior Tennis Aces Presentation | Town Mayor |
| 29/10/2025 | Crosstown Community Orchard Fundraising Quiz | Town Mayor |
| 02/12/2025 | Christmas Window Judging | Town Mayor |
| 02/12/2025 | Sherston House Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony | Town Mayor |
| 03/12/2025 | Graham and Brown Opening Coffee Morning | Town Mayor |
| 09/12/2025 | Matix Accounts Decorate your Desk Competition | Town Mayor |
| 04/12/2025 | Mayor of Congleton Festive Feast Fundraiser | Town Mayor |
| 05/12/2025 | First Responders Trust Sapphire sing-a-long | Town Mayor |
| 06/12/2025 | St Winifred’s Church Christmas Tree Festival | Town Mayor |
| 09/12/2025 | Canute Lunch Club Christmas Lunch | Town Mayor |
| 09/12/2025 | Northwest in Bloom Certificate Presentation | Town Mayor |
| 11/12/2025 | East Cheshire Hospice Light up a Life | Town Mayor |
| 13/12/2025 | Sharston House Christmas Fair | Town Mayor |
| 14/12/2025 | Brook St Chapel Carol Service | Town Mayor |
| 14/12/2025 | Winsford Tree of Lights | Town Mayor |
| 19/12/2025 | Opening of the Knutsford Banking Hub | Town Mayor |
| 20/12/2025 | Legh Arms Christmas Fair | Town Mayor |
| 20/12/2025 | Tatton Singers Xmas concert | Town Mayor |
| 25/12/2025 | Knutsford & District Lions Club Christmas Lunch | Town Mayor |
| 10/01/2026 | Crosstown Community Orchard Wassail | Town Mayor |