23/099 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)
23/100 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
All members were present.
23/101 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Cllr Robertson arrived during this item.
In respect of 23/108 Cllr Gardiner declared that he was chair of the CEC s106 and CIL advisory committee, it was clarified with the Town Clerk that this would not constitute a conflict of interest in the item before the council. In respect of 23/110 Cllr Gardiner declared that he had made representations to the Head of Democratic Services and Governance at CEC regarding the way the council had handled a proposed amendment for Knutsford’s warding arrangements.
Cllr Banks declared a personal interest in 23/107 on the grounds of having fundraised for The Welcome and being a friend of the chair.
Cllr McCulloch declared a prejudicial interest in 23/088 on the grounds of being a trustee/director of The Welcome.
In the interests of openness, Cllr Russell declared that she works in adult social care for Cheshire East Council.
23/102 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public wished to address the council.
23/103 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held 15th January 2024.
23/104 COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes of committees which had met since the previous ordinary meeting were noted.
23/105 CHESHIRE EAST COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
The reports of Cllrs Coan, Dean and Gardiner were noted. Cllr Gardiner provided further information on the financial challenges faced by the council, noting that its expenditure for children with special educational needs and disabilities had increased due to both an increase in the number of young people in that category and most facilities being outside the borough and that there had been significant increases in the costs of delivering adult social care due to the carer pay market.
23/106 MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Cllr Banks reported on attendance at a Manchester Airport Technical Advisory Group meeting where it had been announced the proposed remodelling of terminal three has been cancelled, but that this will not prevent the implementation of 3D scanners.
Cllr Hartley reported on a second meeting with Tatton Park, expressing disappointment that Tatton Park had subsequently declined to hold further such meetings, but that Cllr Watson may be invited to join the Tatton Park Charitable Trust.
23/107 FUNDING OF THE WELCOME
The CEO of The Welcome answered questioned from the council in respect of the application and services provided at The Welcome.
A motion to award a grant of £20,000 to fund premises costs at The Welcome for one year alongside the exploration of improved coordination of support services offered within the town was proposed and seconded. A proposal to amend a substantive motion to reduce the funding to £10,000 was proposed and seconded but failed.
It was RESOLVED to award a grant of £20,000 to fund premises costs at The Welcome for one year alongside the exploration of improved coordination of support services offered within the town was proposed and seconded.
Cllr McCulloch abstained from discussion and voting.
23/108 COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY PROJECTS
It was RESOLVED to:
- approve the proposed insertion of a line in the CIL Framework for CIL funded projects to provide long term enhancement to the natural environment or contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions
- amend the CIL Framework to remove the Finance Committee from the process
To consider revisions to the council’s CIL Framework - approve the Town Mayor serving as committee chairman for the 2023/24 civic year
- add the Ladies Mile footpath creation project to the CIL Projects List
- authorise the release of CIL reserve funds to deliver the Ladies Mile footpath creation project
Cllr Gardiner abstained from discussion and voting.
23/109 CIVILITY AND RESPECT PLEDGE
It was RESOLVED to commit to the eight pledges and sign the NALC/SLCC Civility and Respect Pledge.
23/110 LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND REVIEW OF CHESHIRE EAST
It was RESOLVED to support the Cheshire East Council submission in respect of Knutsford.
23/111 CORPORATE RISK REGISTER
It was RESOLVED to approve the corporate risk register.
23/112 MAYORAL DUTIES
The Town Mayor reported on attendance at the events detailed in appendix A.
23/113 PAYMENTS
The payments were noted.
23/114 OUTSTANDING MATTERS LOG
The log was noted and it was noted that a meeting with Knutsford Heritage Centre was being coordinated.
23/115 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
23/116 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK
The Town Clerk responded to questions advising the background to an issue with a memorial mason within the cemetery, that 60 tenders had been received for the Discover Knutsford website and that an award would be made shortly, that no response had been received from CEC regarding the large pothole on Garden Road, that Bruntwood were still engaged in respect of 60 King Street, that he would follow up with the CEC PROW team in respect of the footpath between 95-97 King Street, that a further meeting of the Knutsford Medical Centre Project Stakeholders Group was being scheduled for the end of April and that a public update of progress would be made thereafter, that the community should continue to monitor the future of Knutsford Leisure Centre with further challenges within the CEC leisure services budget which could mean it is not as secure as has been reported and that CEC was undertaking a library services review including looking at alternative delivery models which would report into the September meeting of CEC’s Environment and Communities Committee.
23/117 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 13th May 2024 at 7:00pm.
APPENDIX A:MAYORAL ENGAGEMENTS
ENGAGEMENTS ATTENDED
| Date | Event | Attended by |
| 26/01/2024 | Cheshire East Holocaust Memorial Day Service | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 31/01/2024 | Funeral of former Town Mayor, Alderman Tony Ranfield | Town Mayor |
| 03/02/2024 | Lions Senior Citizens Variety Show | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 05/02/2024 | Marjorie Hurst Blue Plaque Unveiling | Town Mayor |
| 16/02/2024 | Macclesfield Town Mayor’s Charity Quiz Night | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 20/02/2024 | North West Air Ambulance Charity open day | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 09/03/2024 | St Cross Church Lent Appeal Coffee Morning | Town Mayor |
| 16/03/2024 | Macclesfield Town Mayor Dinner Dance | Deputy Town Mayor |
| 19/03/2024 | Centennial Place Blue Plaque and interpretation board unveiling | Town Mayor |
| 19/03/2024 | Volunteer appreciation evening | Town Mayor |
ENGAGEMENTS DECLINED
| Date | Event |
| 27/01/2024 | Mayor of Alsager Masquerade Ball |
| 01/03/2024 | Mayor of Bollington Charity Ball |