24/082 PRESENT
Councillors Banks, Coan, Dalzell, Forrest, Gardiner, Gray, Hartley, Johnson, Lowe, McCulloch, Mears, Robertson, Russell, Watson and Wood
In attendance: A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
24/083 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
All members were present.
24/084 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Cllr Banks declared a prejudicial interest in 24/090 on the grounds of being the council appointed trustee of Knutsford Heritage Centre.
24/085 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The vicar of St John’s Church spoke regarding the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday, noting that the early morning service is usually not well attended and summarising arrangements for their remembrance service.
Cllr Robertson joined the meeting.
The chair of trustees for Knutsford Heritage Centre outlined the grounds for requesting the grant value is retained at £7,500, noting the investment being made in repairs to the building and securing funding for insulation upgrades. In response to questions from members, they further advised that the King Canute statue had been funded by donations, that the acting manager arrangements were working well and the value of reserves.
A resident highlighted the need for the council to discuss arrangements for the new community building proposed as part of the Longridge development, expressed dismay that the proposed staffing changes were being decided before all actions on the corporate peer challenge had been worked through, requested that a greater sum than £1,000 per year be applied to a recreation reserve and noted that the Leisure Centre investment should be discussed by the CEC Environment and Communities Committee at the end of January.
24/086 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 13th November 2024.
24/087 COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes of committee meetings were noted.
24/088 CHESHIRE EAST COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
The written reports of Cllrs Coan, Dean and Gardiner were noted.
24/089 MEMBERS’ REPORTS
The written reports of members were noted.
24/090 KNUTSFORD HERITAGE CENTRE ANNUAL GRANT VALUE
Cllr Banks left the meeting and Cllr McCulloch presided over this item.
It was RESOLVED that the value of the grant for 2025 and 2026 be set at £5,000 per annum, that the request for more information on the operations of the centre be reiterated and to express that there is no certainty of funding beyond 2026.
Cllr Banks rejoined the meeting.
24/091 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
It was RESOLVED to:
- continue with the format of the event as per 2024
- adjust the timing of the morning service to reduce the gap between the end of the service and start of the parade
- explore changes to the wreath laying arrangements to reduce the amount of time it takes in the main service
Cllr Gray abstained from voting.
24/092 CORPORATE PEER CHALLENGE
The corporate peer challenge feedback report was received. The proposals developed by the Personnel Committee following the initial feedback to increase staffing levels and other feedback in the report was discussed and it was noted that the CPC working group would be developing an action plan for the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned for a five minute recess.
24/093 STRATEGIC PLAN ACTIONS 2024/25 AND 2025/26
The progress in delivery against current year actions and the action plan for 2025/26 was noted. It was noted that the strategic plan would be reviewed following feedback in the corporate peer challenge.
24/094 COUNCIL BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2025/26
It was noted that unless otherwise stated in the resolution, implementation of the revised staffing structure approved by the Personnel Committee would commence immediately.
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget as submitted.
Cllrs Gray, Johnson, McCulloch and Mears voted against the resolution. Cllr Russell abstained from voting.
It was RESOLVED to approve the reserves as submitted.
Cllrs Gray, McCulloch and Mears abstained from voting.
It was RESOLVED to set a precept of £816,860.
Cllrs Gray, Johnson, McCulloch and Mears voted against the resolution. Cllr Russell abstained from voting.
24/095MAYORAL DUTIES
The Town Mayor reported on attendance at the events detailed in appendix A.
24/096 PAYMENTS
The payments were noted.
24/097 OUTSTANDING MATTERS LOG
The log was noted.
24/098 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public wished to speak.
24/099 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK
The Town Clerk responded to questions advising that a status report was being sought from Bruntwood in respect of 60 King Street and that the matter would be discussed at the next Assets and Operations Committee; that the council would engage with the developer of the Longridge site once appointed to discuss the community building requirements; that he would contact Crown Estates to request a further meeting on the proposed footpath from Tabley Road to the open space off Lawrence Way; that the council had objected to the proposed winter closure of Church Hill and stated it should only be closed during icy conditions; that the Environment and Transport Committee would discuss winter preparedness in respect of grit bins and gritting pavements and roads and that residents experiencing flooding issues due to poor road drainage should escalate issues to their borough councillors.
24/100 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting will be held on 17th March 2025 at 7pm.
APPENDIX A:MAYORAL ENGAGEMENTS
ENGAGEMENTS ATTENDED
| Date | Event | Attended by |
| 23/10/2024 | Exclusive Mafi event | Town Mayor |
| 27/10/2024 | Friends of Knutsford Heritage Centre AGM | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 07/11/2024 | Manchester Airport Festival of Remembrance | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 08/11/2024 | East Cheshire Hospice and Knutsford Lions Charity Concert | Town Mayor |
| 11/11/2024 | Knutsford Sci Bar 20th Anniversary talk | Town Mayor |
| 12/11/2024 | Li-Ly restaurant opening | Town Mayor |
| 19/11/2024 | Knutsford together weekly Talking Cafe | Town Mayor |
| 25/11/2024 | Egerton school assembly | Town Mayor |
| 25/11/2024 | Licensing of New Incumbent (Vicar) St Mary’s Rostherne | Town Mayor |
| 29/11/2024 | Knutsford Tennis Club Junior Awards | Town Mayor |
| 05/12/2024 | The Welcome AGM | Town Mayor |
| 05/12/2024 | Tatton Brewery Tap Room opening | Town Mayor |
| 06/12/2024 | Winsford Mayor’s Tree of Lights and Carol Service | Town Mayor |
| 07/12/2024 | Sharston House Christmas fair and lights switch on | Town Mayor |
| 14/12/2024 | We are Knutsford Santa Parade | Town Mayor |
| 17/12/2024 | Manor Park School Christmas Performance | Town Mayor |
| 18/12/2024 | CAFT Christmas event | Town Mayor |
| 18/12/2024 | Bexton School assembly | Town Mayor |
| 25/12/2024 | Knutsford Lions’ Christmas Lunch | Town Mayor |
ENGAGEMENTS DECLINED
| Date | Event |
| 27/10/2024 | The Bridgemere Airmen Tragedy |
| 08/12/2024 | Alsager Town Council The Knife before Christmas |
| 10/12/2024 | Canute Lunch Club Christmas Lunch |
| 10/12/2024 | Knutsford Rotary Christmas Dinner |