23/014 PRESENT
Councillors Coan, Banks, Dalzell, Forrest, Gardiner, Gray, Hartley, Johnson, Lowe, McCulloch, Mears, Robertson, Russell and Wood
In attendance: A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
23/015 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Watson (business)
23/016 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
No member declared an interest in any item under discussion.
23/017 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident welcomed the new members to the council, thanked the council for convening the meeting regarding the future healthcare centre, expressed concern at Knutsford students being unable to join Knutsford Academy mid-year noting the current waiting list of students being 44 and urging the council to influence Cheshire East Council to implement coordinated traffic signals.
A resident congratulated the council on the quality of the strategic plan and thanked the council for responding to the points raised in consultation. The resident queried whether the committee responsibilities for the plan would be reviewed and suggested committees have guidance where responsibly is shared between two committees as to how they should work.
23/018 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held 20th March.
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held 22nd May.
23/019 COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes were noted.
A query was raised in relation the Planning Committee minutes of the 30th ultimo which the Town Clerk undertook to raise with the Planning and Facilities Officer.
23/020 CHESHIRE EAST COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Cllr Coan reported that he had not yet attended any meetings of the council excepting its annual meeting.
Cllr Gardiner reported he had had a busy period of attending meetings as a substitute member and that he had been appointed to the Environment and Communities Committee through which he anticipates being involved in the review of the Local Plan. Cllr Gardiner reported that he had spoken with the Acting Director of Place concerning the derelict property at 8 Beechwood. Cllr Gardiner further reported that he anticipated public engagement concerning the introduction of charges for green waste collection would be undertaken later this year and that he had questioned the savings for the same noting the council has specific contracts and environmental objectives which may affect the realisable savings.
Cllr Gardiner responded to questions in relation to the options agreement between Cheshire East Council and Dewscope for part of the open space at Longridge/Higher Downs, explaining the agreement was with the council as a landowner not planning authority and would not form a consideration as part of the council determining the planning application.
Options agreement and covenant
23/021 MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Cllr Johnson reported on a meeting with the Jubilee Hall manager, noting it had lost some regular bookings and has capacity for further regular use. It was further reported that the charity was looking at securing grants for projects such as replacement of the tables. Cllr Johnson further reported that Friends of the Moor had held a litterpick in April, had recently installed items of trim trail equipment and that the Music on the Moor event had been successful but needed additional bins. Cllr Johnson further highlighted the upcoming Great Race around the Moor (10th September) and that Family Fest would also be using the scout hut (5th August).
Cllr Banks reported attending a meeting of Friends of St John’s Wood which was developing its strategy and that he had spoken with The Welcome and Adelaide Academy regarding their outdoor courses.
Cllr McCulloch further reported on the meeting of Friends of St John’s Wood, noting that landowners had undertaken some tree felling as part of the woodland management, that the group was planning a litterpick in September and that it meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
Cllr Hartley reported he had met with Knutsford in Bloom and was provided support in seeking sponsorship for the group.
Cllr Lowe brought for matters to the council’s attention: the need for additional litter clearance at the Makers Market, concern from residents regarding obstructive parking on Mereheath Lane, the issue of faded road markings on the A50 and the need to ensure planted trees are watered.
Cllr Coan reported he was arranging to meet with the Fire Service Delivery Manager to discuss the recent fire on Mereheath Park and understand any operational difficulties faced by the crews.
Cllr Russell reported that further works were required to the River Lily culvert on Brook Street, raised the condition of the cycle path in Tabley, that she had seen many reports of excessive aircraft noise and an issue regarding trees on Cranford Avenue.
Cllr Mears reported that the Crosstown Community Orchard had created a soft fruit bed and worked with 2nd Knutsford Beavers to plant some herb planters; Cllr Mears further reported the charity was planning its summer BBQ event.
23/022 PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE STANLEY CENTRE
Cllr Gardiner abstained from discussion and voting on this item as a member of the Adult and Health Committee of Cheshire East Council. Cllr Gardiner spoke only to clarify factual matters.
It was RESOLVED[1] to object to the closure of the Stanley Centre as the council believes the service is needed for Knutsford residents and that the Town Clerk prepare a response to the consultation to be circulated to members prior to submission and addressing the points raised in discussion, including the distance to other centres, the importance of local access, lack of clarity over budget savings and the need for joined up thinking for a future health and wellbeing centre.
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Banks or Cllr Forrest attend the Adult and Health Committee of Cheshire East Council when the matter is discussed to address the committee on behalf of the Town Council.
23/023 PUBLIC MEETING ON FUTURE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
Cllr Coan reported that further to the public meeting, invitations had been issued for a preliminary meeting with all stakeholders in late June/early July.
The meeting was adjourned for a five-minute recess and subsequently reconvened.
23/024 COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN 2023-2032
It was RESOLVED to:
- Adopt the strategic plan 2023-2032
- Task committees with developing action plans for the current financial year for the July council meeting and annually thereafter as part of the budget process
- Task committees with monitoring progress on implementation at each meeting with formal reviews by Full Council each October where committee chairmen will be expected to report on progress.
- Allocate responsibility for each objective of the plan as outlined in report C-23-07 subject to amendments allocating E4 to the Planning Committee in addition to the Environment and Transport Committee and C9-C11 to the Planning Committee
23/025 VOTER ID
A motion to write to Esther McVey MP outlining the council’s objection to Voter ID requirements was proposed and seconded but failed.
23/026 HONOURS WORKING GROUP AND CIL PROJECTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
It was RESOLVED to appoint Cllrs Dalzell, Gardiner, Lowe, McCulloch and Robertson to the honours working group.
It was RESOLVED to appoint Cllrs Dalzell, Gray, Johnson, McCulloch, Russell and Wood to the CIL Projects Advisory Committee.
It was RESOLVED to amend the terms of reference of the CIL Projects Advisory Committee to comprise six elected members (plus Mayor and Deputy Mayor ex-officio) and that the quorum for a meeting be six members of which three must be elected members.
It was RESOLVED to authorise the Town Clerk to appoint non-councillor members to the committee in consultation with the Town Mayor.
23/027 VIDEO BROADCAST OF COUNCIL MEETINGS
It was RESOLVED to recommence video broadcasting of council and committee meetings but excluding sub-committee meetings.
It was RESOLVED to approve the policy on broadcasting of council meetings with the amendment to exclude sub-committee meetings.
23/028 AMENDMENT OF STANDING ORDERS
It was RESOLVED to approve the amendments to Standing Orders as detailed in report C-023-05b subject to the correction of the terms of reference of the urgency committee to refer to SO 50.
23/029 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY REVIEW
The fixed asset register as at 31st March was noted.
The Town Clerk explained why depreciation is not included in the asset register. It was agreed that valuations should be obtained for land assets which have no valuation and that the asset register should be updated annually to include an indicative current/replacement value for each asset.
It was RESOLVED to approve the annual governance statement.
It was RESOLVED to approve the annual accounting statements.
23/030 MAYORAL DUTIES
The Town Mayor reported on attendance as detailed below.
Cllr Gardiner confirmed he was happy to attend functions on behalf of the Town Mayor when he and the Deputy Town Mayor were unable to do so, as the only serving former mayor on the council, and noted the importance of the council sending a representative to events when invited to do so.
23/031 PAYMENTS
The payment schedules were noted.
23/032 OUTSTANDING MATTERS LOG
The log was noted and Cllr Gardiner undertook to further the matter previously assigned to former Cllr Abel.
23/033 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
23/034 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK
The Town Clerk responded to questions advising that he would be arranging for a speaker to attend a future Environment and Transport Committee meeting to discuss 20 mph speed limits, that he would invite a highways officer to the same and whilst he did not believe the open space adjacent to the scout hut on Manor Crescent would be ideally suited to a community orchard that the council would be developing a green space strategy which could look at how best to use this area.
23/035 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday 31st July at 7:30pm
APPENDIX A:MAYORAL ENGAGEMENTS 2022/23 CIVIC YEAR
ENGAGEMENTS ATTENDED
| Date | Event | Attended by |
| 24/03/2023 | Opening of Screwfix Knutsford | Town Mayor |
| 31/03/2023 | Opening of Apeture Doors | Cllr Gardiner |
| 04/04/2023 | Interment of former Town Mayor Tony Want | Town Mayor |
| 08/04/2023 | Knutsford Bunny Hop | Town Mayor |
| 13/04/2023 | The Royal Oglesby Centre & Victoria Wood Hall Halle Concerts Society | Town Mayor |
| 20/04/2023 | Silk 106 Local Hero Awards | Deputy Mayor |
| 26/04/2023 | Parkletics Knutsford Launch Event | Town Mayor |
| 27/04/2023 | Mobberley Ice Cream Parlour Opening | Town Mayor |
| 03/05/2023 | Intro to Goostrey Community Shed | Town Mayor |
| 07/05/2023 | Cheshire Coronation Service | Town Mayor |
| 16/05/2023 | Rotary Club Charter Evening | Town Mayor |
| 20/05/2023 | Flash Fashion Knutsford | Cllr Gardiner |
| 21/05/2023 | Chester Civic Service | Town Mayor |
ENGAGEMENTS DECLINED
| Date | Event |
| 25/03/2023 | Biddulph Town Council Craft and Textile Event |
| 20/04/2023 | Knutsford Beer Festival |
| 28/04/2023 | Biddulph Town Council Civic Charity Dinner |
| 07/05/2023 | ‘West Knutsford City Limits’ Coronation Street Party |
| 07/05/2023 | Biddulph Town Council Coronation Garden Open Day |
| 12/05/2023 | Love you Local Market Week at Knutsford Market Hall |
| 12/05/2023 | Lord Mayor of Chester An evening of Opera & Musicals |
| 14/05/2023 | Knutsford Lions 47th Charter Lunch |
APPENDIX B:MAYORAL ENGAGEMENTS 2023/24 CIVIC YEAR
ENGAGEMENTS ATTENDED
| Date | Event | Attended by |
| 24/05/2023 | Cheshire East Mayor Making | Deputy Mayor |
| 25/05/2023 | Congleton Mayor Making | Town Mayor |
| 29/05/2023 | Sharston House Garden Party | Town Mayor |
| 29/05/2023 | Knutsford Lions Community Fair | Town Mayor |
| 09/06/2023 | Unveiling of Canute Sculpture at Knutsford Heritage Centre | Town Mayor |
ENGAGEMENTS DECLINED
| Date | Event |
| 24/05/2023 | Sandbach Mayor Making |
| 24/05/2023 | Bollington Mayor Making |
[1] Cllr Gardiner abstained from voting.