T23/013 PRESENT
Councillors Gray, Banks, Coan, Hartley, Johnson, Roberston, Russell, Watson and Wood.
A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
T23/014 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
All members were present.
T23/015 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Cllr Coan declared a personal interest in T23/017 on the grounds of being a Cheshire East Councillor and member of its Highways and Transport Committee.
T23/016 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A resident provided a background to the work of the Town Plan in securing the increase of on-street parking times from 30 minutes to 1 hour, noting the significant call for the increase from surveyed residents and businesses in 2009.
T23/017 CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL CAR PARKING CONSULTATION
It was RESOLVED to object to the proposed reduction in on-street parking times.
It was RESOVLED to thank Cheshire East Council for supporting the town centre by lowering some parking charges but object to the proposal to increase parking charges citing concern it will discourage visitors to the town centre.
It was RESOLVED to raise no objection to the proposed change of the Old Market Place car park from long-stay to short stay.
It was RESOLVED to restate previous demands for Cheshire East Council to provide coach parking at Knutsford Bus Station.
T23/018 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held 10th July.
T23/019 REVIEW OF YEAR TO DATE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
The expenditure year to date was noted.
T23/020 TOWN CENTRE MANAGEMENT REPORT
The report of the Town Centre Manager was noted and it was stated that the council should congratulate itself on the range of work it undertakes to support town wellbeing.
T23/021 SHARED PROSPERITY FUND
It was RESOLVED to:
- approve the progression of the Town Centre Feasibility Studies and Tourism Strategy projects as outlined in report T-23-07, subject to the award of grants.
- authorise the Town Clerk to incur expenditure up to the value of the grant award in accordance with the application and scheme rules.
- note that the studies in relation to the Town Centre Masterplan would be progressed through the Town Centre Masterplan working group.
T23/022 STRATEGIC PLAN
The progress in completing actions under the committee was noted and the committee discussed expanding the ability to purchase the Knutsford Voucher, requesting this is explored by officers.
T23/023 COMMITTEE BUDGET 2024/25
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget as drafted.
T23/024 OUTSTANDING MATTERS LOG
The log was noted.
T23/025 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK
The Town Clerk responded to questions advising that Swinton Square was a public highway and any obstruction of it should be reported to the police, that the council had records of whether ginnels were registered and/or highways and that there is no permission required to run public guided tours provided it does not obstruct the highway.
T23/026 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 20th November 2023 at 7:00pm.