Town Council Meeting 8 September 2022

Agenda of Nantwich Town Council Meeting

Thursday 8 September 2022, 6.30pm, Peggy Killick Suite, Nantwich Civic Hall

AGENDA OF NANTWICH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

1. PUBLIC FORUM

1.1. To receive a report from Police representatives and discuss policing issues in   the town.

1.2. To receive representations from members of the public.

1.3. To receive any representations from the public on planning applications.

1.4. To receive any questions submitted in advance in writing. – Correspondence has been received from a resident requesting that the Town Council support the idea of pedestrianisation of Swine Market, and approach Cheshire East with the request. (Details attached).

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive any apologies for absence.

3. DECLARATION OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS

Members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests relating to items on the agenda in accordance with the Council’s adopted Code of Conduct.

4. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

4.1. To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the        Town Council held on 7th July and 28th July 2022. (attached)

4.2. To receive and note the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Committee held    on 21 July 2022 and to accept and approve the recommendations contained within the minutes (attached).

4.3. To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Salt of the Earth Awards held on 12th May 2022 (attached).

5. MAYOR’S REPORT

To receive a list of the Mayor’s engagements and to receive any announcements by the Mayor.

6. PLANNING CONTROL

Applications for Planning Permission – notification of planning applications by Cheshire East Council upon which comments are to be made (see list attached).  The applications will be displayed at the meeting for inspection.

7. CCTV QUARTER 1 REPORT

To receive and note the Quarter 1 Report from Cheshire East Council on the provision of CCTV around the town.

8. ACCOUNTS 2021/2022– ANNUAL RETURN

To note the completed review of the Annual Governance & Accountability Return             (AGAR) by external auditors PKF Littlejohn LLP. (Details attached)

9. SAAA 2022 OPT-OUT COMMUNICATION

Correspondence has been received from Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments (SAAA) advising of the option to opt out of the central procurement and appointment scheme run by the SAAA.  If a smaller authority chooses to opt-out then it is required to appoint its own external auditor, placing additional responsibility on the smaller authority. (Details attached)

Members are asked to approve the recommendation of the Clerk to remain part of the SAAA sector led auditor appointment regime.

10. LOCAL COUNCIL AWARD SCHEME – QUALITY GOLD ACCREDITATION

Following the application made to the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) in May 2022, confirmation has now been received that the Town Council has been successful in its application and has been awarded Quality Gold status of the Local Council Award Scheme.  The accreditation will remain valid from August 2022 to August 2026.  Confirmation details of the award are attached.

11. CHESHIRE EAST CONSULTATION – TOWN CENTRE VITALITY PLANS

To consider and agree a response to Cheshire East Councils consultation on the  draft Town Centre Vitality Plans following a presentation by officers received on 25 August 2022.

12. CHESHIRE EAST – SOCIAL FRANCHISE APPLICATION

In 2021 the Town Council supported the application to Cheshire East for the Civic Hall to become a Connected Communities Centre.  A successful application would provide a total of £5,000 in grant funding from Cheshire with additional support for promotion and signposting of the Civic Hall.  In return the Town Council would have to provide 200 hours per year of free room hire to local voluntary organisations.

The application process was not opened until Summer 2022, when an application was made by the Town Council.  Confirmation has now been received confirming the application has been successful.  Members are asked to approve the signing of the attached agreement.  (Details of the offer and conditions are attached)

13. CHESHIRE EAST CONSULTATION – LOCAL HIGHWAYS SERVICE

The attached correspondence has been received from CEC providing information on how to contact Cheshire East Council’s Highways Service, and a small questionnaire to capture key highways maintenance priorities from each town or parish council.

Members are asked to consider the town’s highways priorities to allow the Clerk to respond to the questionnaire.

14. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

Council is asked to RESOLVE to exclude Press and public pursuant to the Public Bodies Admission to meetings Act 1960 as personal or financial contract details are likely to be discussed.

15. WELSHMAN’S LANE ALLOTMENTS TENDER

To consider recommendations of the Tender Committee for the awarding of the    contract to address the flooding issues at Welshman’s Lane Allotments.

16. BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORTS

To receive reports from Cheshire East Borough Councillors.

17. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES

Members representing the Council on outside bodies or organisations are asked to report on matters of interest.