23/080 PRESENT
Councillors Coan, Banks, Dalzell, Forrest, Gardiner, Gray, Hartley, Johnson, Lowe, McCulloch, Mears, Robertson, Russell, Watson and Wood
In attendance: A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
23/081 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
All members were present.
23/082 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Cllr Banks declared a personal interest in 23/088 on the grounds of having fundraised for the charity.
Cllr McCulloch declared a prejudicial interest in 23/088 on the grounds of being a trustee of the charity.
Cllr Gray declared a personal interest in 23/088 on the grounds of having spoken with the chair.
Cllr Coan declared a prejudicial interest in 23/089 on the grounds of being a trustee of the charity.
23/083 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public wished to address the council.
23/084 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held 13th November 2023.
23/085 COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes of committees which had met since the previous ordinary meeting were noted.
23/086 CHESHIRE EAST COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
The reports of Cllrs Dean and Gardiner were noted and it was noted that current subscriptions to the green bin scheme were at 50% of the requirement for the scheme to breakeven.
23/087 MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Cllr Banks reported on attendance at a meeting of the technical advisory group of the Manchester Airport Consultative Committee, noting that the meeting was data heavy and covered matters including pollution levels. Cllr Banks further reported he had visited the Bread and Butter Thing at Manor Park School where subscribers can get £35 of groceries for £8, had visited the Monday Hub and had attended the AGM of The Welcome.
Cllr McCulloch reported on attendance a meeting of the Friends of St John’s Wood which was continuing to develop its long term plan.
23/088 FUNDING OF THE WELCOME
Cllr McCulloch left the meeting.
The CEO and Chair of The Welcome were invited to address the meeting and took questions from members.
It was RESOLVED to defer consideration of the grant to allow for further engagement with The Welcome.
Cllr McCulloch rejoined the meeting.
23/089 FUNDING OF HERITAGE CENTRE MANAGER
Cllr Coan left the meeting and Cllr Banks presided over the item.
It was RESOLVED to reject the application for funding at this stage but reconsider the application at the next meeting.
Cllr Coan rejoined the meeting and resumed the chair.
23/090 ANNUAL REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS
No amendments to standing orders were proposed.
23/091 INVESTMENTS POLICY
It was RESOLVED to approve the revised policy as presented.
23/092 COUNCIL BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2024/25
It was RESOLVED to establish a £100,000 community services reserve.
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget as presented.
It was RESOLVED to approve the reserve allocations as amended.
It was RESOLVED to set a precept of £719,511.
23/093 MAYORAL DUTIES
The Town Mayor reported on attendance at the events detailed in appendix A.
23/094 PAYMENTS
The payments were noted.
23/095 OUTSTANDING MATTERS LOG
The log was noted.
23/096 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public wished to address the council.
23/097 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK
The Town Clerk responded to questions explaining the process for allocating CIL to deliver the Ladies Mile footpath improvement project, stating it would be on the next agenda; explained the cemetery memorial safety inspection process and reasons for the number of warning notices; that a proposal from Bruntwood for 60 King Street was expected towards the Autumn but that the company was still interested and exploring operators; that the Knutsford Voucher continues to sell, predominantly around the festive season; that the Young Artist of the Year competition would be programmed following decisions made in December in respect of an arts event.
The Town Clerk further responded to a question in respect of the refusal of 21/3100M, the strategic development site at Longridge advising that the refusal notice had now been published, that it was probable the applicant would appeal and that due to the size of development any appeal would likely be determined at a formal inquiry. It was noted there was nothing further the town council could do in the interim and that the site remained a strategic housing allocation in the extant Local Plan.
23/098 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 25th March at 7:00pm
APPENDIX A:MAYORAL ENGAGEMENTS
ENGAGEMENTS ATTENDED
| Date | Event | Attended by |
| 13/10/2023 | Knutsford Scouts Annual District Dinner | Town Mayor |
| 13/10/2023 | Middlewich Town Council charity night | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 29/10/2023 | Bridgemere Airmen’s Memorial Service | Town Mayor |
| 29/10/2023 | Friends of Knutsford Heritage centre AGM | Town Mayor |
| 05/11/2023 | The Mayor of Cheshire East Civic Service | Town Mayor |
| 09/11/2023 | Manchester Airport Festival of Remembrance | Town Mayor |
| 10/11/2023 | 60s Revival Night | Town Mayor |
| 10/11/2023 | Girlguiding Thanks & Recognition Evening | Deputy Town mayor |
| 11/11/2023 | Wrap up Knutsford community event | Town Mayor |
| 15/11/2023 | Knutsford care community event | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 23/11/2023 | Lord Mayor of Chester Charity Event | Cllr Gardiner |
| 24/11/2023 | Sharston Nursing Home open day | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 29/11/2023 | Christmas Advent Calendar Video filming | Town Mayor |
| 01/12/2023 | Knutsford Christmas Lights Switch On | Town Mayor |
| 08/12/2023 | Bucklow Manor Care Home Visit | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 08/12/2023 | Christmas window display judging | Town Mayor |
| 09/12/2023 | Sharston House Christmas fair | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 09/12/2023 | Knutsford Crib Service | Town Mayor |
| 10/12/2023 | Festive Sunday raffle/cake judging | Town Mayor |
| 25/12/2023 | Knutsford Lions Christmas day lunch | Town Mayor |
ENGAGEMENTS DECLINED
| Date | Event |
| 06/10/2023 | Sandbach Town Civic awards |
| 15/10/2023 | Nantwich Town Council Civic Service |
| 18/11/2023 | 80s/90s event Congleton Town Mayor |
| 07/12/2023 | Chester Town Hall Christmas concert |
| 08/12/2023 | Mayor of Winsford tree of lights celebration |
| 12/12/2023 | Rotary Christmas Evening |
| 16/12/2023 | Lord Mayor of Chester Christmas parlour |