26/020 PRESENT
Councillors Coan, Dalzell, Forrest, Gardiner, Hartley, Johnson, Lowe, McCulloch, Mears, Robertson and Russell
In attendance: A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
26/021 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs Banks, Gray, Watson and Wood (personal business)
26/022 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Cllrs Gardiner and Coan declared a personal interest in 26/028 on the grounds of being known to trustees proposed for reappointment.
26/023 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public wished to address the meeting.
26/024 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held 11th May.
26/025 COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes of committee meetings were noted.
26/026 CHESHIRE EAST COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Cllr Gardiner reported that the Chief Executive Officer had resigned, that the first meeting of the Cabinet under the new governance arrangements had been held and that the council was seeking to become a Marmot authority. Cllr Gardiner reported that consultation was commencing on the first stage of a new local plan, and that the council had approved a new process for updating the local list of heritage assets.
26/027 MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Cllr Johnson reported the Jubilee Hall was being well used, that the opening of the community garden went well and was officiated by Rev Makunde of Knutsford Methodist Church and that the council’s Community Engagement Officer had began to attend Knutsford Partnership meetings and that her attendance was welcomed.
Cllr McCulloch highlighted The Welcome’s upcoming funday at Toft Cricket Club.
Cllr Hartley reported that a decision on the Town of Culture application was delayed by anticipated around the end of July.
26/028 APPOINTMENT OF MARJORIE HURST CHARITY TRUSTEES
It was RESOLVED to appoint Rick Dallimore and Andrew Lloyd-Green as trustees for the 2026-2030 term.
26/029 COUNCILLOR CODE OF CONDUCT
It was RESOLVED to adopt the revised Code of Conduct.
26/030 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY REVIEW
The fixed asset register as at 31st March 2026 was noted.
It was RESOLVED to approve the annual governance statements 2025/26.
It was RESOLVED to approve the annual accounting statements 2025/26.
26/031 CO-OPTION OF BID REPRESENTATIVE ON TOWN CENTRE COMMITTEE
It was RESOLVED to amend the terms of reference for the Town Centre Committee to add “The committee may co-opt a representative of the Business Improvement District Board. Such appointments shall be made annually at the first meeting of the civic year, or as necessary when a vacancy arises. The co-opted member shall be a non-voting member.”
26/032 CORPORATE PEER CHALLENGE
Progress in delivering the outstanding actions was noted.
26/033 MAYORAL DUTIES
Cllr Coan reported on mayoral duties as set out in the appendix.
26/034 PAYMENTS
The recent payment reports were noted.
26/035 OUTSTANDING ACTIONS, PROJECT UPDATES AND WORKPLAN REPORTS
The log was noted. The Town Clerk provided an update on s106 funds.
26/036 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
26/037 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK
The council sought an update on the new medical centre, thanks were expressed to the Town Rangers for their work on Ladies Mile, it was noted the alfresco dining events were well received, it was noted the SID had been deployed and an update was sought on the Longridge development site.
It was suggested the Town Clerk meet with Cheshire East Councillors over the summer to review the outstanding CEC referred matters log.
26/038 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday 21st September 2026.
APPENDIX A: MAYORAL ENGAGEMENTS
2025/26 CIVIC YEAR (CLLR HARTLEY)
ENGAGEMENTS ATTENDED
| Date | Event | Attended by |
| 05/03/2026 | Halle Youth School Concert | Town Mayor |
| 14/03/2026 | Refresh Knutsford | Town Mayor |
| 19/03/2026 | MK Reformer Pilates open event | Town Mayor |
| 21/03/2026 | Red Cross Charity Shop opening event | Town Mayor |
| 31/03/2026 | Halle Conductors concert | Town Mayor |
| 04/04/2026 | Bunny Hop Bonnet Judging | Town Mayor |
| 15/04/2026 | Art Exhibition Sharston House | Cllr Banks |
| 17/04/2026 | Congleton Charity Ball | Town Mayor |
| 24/04/2026 | Pirates of Penzance | Town Mayor |
| 30/04/2026 | The Willows anniversary celebration | Town Mayor |
| 30/04/2026 | May Day Fair opening | Town Mayor |
| 07/05/2026 | Forged Bespoke Motors opening | Town Mayor |
| 07/05/2026 | Heyrose Golf Club | Town Mayor |
| 10/05/2026 | Knutsford Lions Anniversary lunch | Town Mayor |
ENGAGEMENTS DECLINED
| Date | Event |
| 21/03/2026 | Bollington Mayor Charity Dinner |
2026/27 CIVIC YEAR (CLLR COAN)
ENGAGEMENTS ATTENDED
| Date | Event | Attended by |
| 15/05/2026 | Chester Civic Sunday | Town Mayor |
| 19/05/2026 | Crewe Mayor making | Town Mayor |
| 19/05/2026 | Love your Local Market launch | Town Mayor |
| 20/05/2026 | Sandbach Mayor Making | Town Mayor |
| 25/05/2026 | Lions Community Fair | Town Mayor |
| 28/05/2026 | Knutsford Beer Festival | Town Mayor |
| 06/06/2026 | Tatton Singers | Town Mayor |
| 06/06/2026 | Music on the Moor | Town Mayor |
ENGAGEMENTS DECLINED
| Date | Event |
| 18/05/2026 | Middlewich Town Council Mayor Making |
| 19/05/2026 | Alsager Mayor making |
| 04/06/2026 | Knutsford Community Garden Opening |