Full Council

Macclesfield Town Council Full Council

Macclesfield Town Council Notice of Meeting

5^th December 2025

To Chair Cllr Emma Gilman and Councillors James Barber, Sarah Bennett-Wake, David Edwardes, Sam Hale, Alift Harewood-Jones, Mike Hutchison, Sandy Livingstone Ruth Thompson, Mick Warren, Chris Wilcock and Fiona Wilson

You are hereby summoned to attend a meeting of

Macclesfield Town Council’s Full Council meeting to be held at

Macclesfield Town Hall

on

15^th December 2025

commencing at 7pm,

for the purpose of transacting the business shown on the attached agenda.

With thanks,

Laura Smith

Town Clerk

Agenda

The agenda of the meeting to be held on the on 15^th December 2025 at 7pm at Macclesfield Town Hall.

1        Apologies for Absence

To receive apologies and approval.

2        Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of interests from members relevant to items under discussion at the meeting.

Public Questions

The meeting will be adjourned to invite comments and questions from the public.

The meeting will then be reconvened.

NOTE:

If you would like to speak during public session, please email
[email protected]  by 5pm Thursday 11^th December 2025. Every practicable effort will be made to try and arrange your inclusion.

If you would like to submit a written statement, please submit your statement for inclusion and circulation to the committee to [email protected] by Thursday 11^th December 2025.

3        Minutes of the Full Council Meeting 22^nd September 2025
3. Minutes Full Council 22 09 25

Action: To approve the minutes

4        Matters Arising from the Minutes

Action: To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

5        Planning Committee

5.1       Planning Committee Minutes 17^th September 2025

5.1 PC Minutes 17 09 25

5.2       Planning Committee Minutes 12^th November 2025

5.2 PC Minutes 12 11 25

To note the minutes above.

5.3       Matters arising from the Minutes

To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

6        Finance Committee

6.1       Finance Committee 29^th September 2025

6.1 Finance Committee Minutes 29 09 25

6.2       Finance Committee 17^th November 2025

6.2 Finance Committee Minutes 17th Nov 2025

To note the minutes

6.3       Matters arising from the Minutes

To consider any matters arising from the minutes

6.4       To approve the spend to date of £547,064 as approved by the Finance Committee 17/11/25.

7        Services Committee

7.1       Services committee Minutes 13^th October 2025

7.1 Services Commmitee Minutes 13 10 25

7.2       Services committee Minutes 1^st December 2025

7.2 Services Committee Minutes 1st December 2025

To note the minutes

7.3       Matters arising from the Minutes

To consider any matters arising from the minutes

8        Community Delivery

8.1        Local Police Unit

Chief Inspector to brief the Council.

8.2        CAB
8.2 CAB Dec 2025

To receive and note the report.

8.3        Silk Museum

8.3 SIlk Museum Report

To receive and note the report.

8.4        CCTV

8.4 CCTV

To receive and note the report.

8.5        Library / VIC
Too large for website please email for a copy

To receive and note the report.

9        Governance Review

9.1       Assertion 10 Report
9.1 Assertion 10 Report

To note the report.

9.2       IT Policy

9.2 IT Policy

9.3       Publication Scheme
9.3 Publication Scheme

9.4       FOI Policy

9.4 Freedom of Information policy

9.5       Direct Debit Change and Policy

9.5 Debit Card Policy and Procedure

Action: To consider the attached policies for approval.

10    Internal Audit
10. Internal Audit Report

To note the conclusion of the audit.

11    Investment Position Statement

11. Investment Position Statement

To note the report.

12    Disability Information Bureau Grant Request over £2000

12. Disability Information Bureau Grant Request

To consider the grant request for £5,683.38

13    Parks and Play Areas

13. Parks and Play Areas

To note the report

14    South Park Pavilion Update Report for Council

14. South Park Pavilion

Action: To consider the delegation to the South Park working group of the tender process with the outcomes to come to Full Council for approval.

15    Floral Contract

Action: To approve the appointment of a contractor for the floral displays in the town centre.

16    Winter Safety

16. Winter Safety

Action: Approval requested for costs related to winter gritting and the refilling of grit boxes.

17    Double Devolution

17. Double Devolution

Actions:

• To approve the proposals within the report to establish a Double Devolution Working Group.
• To produce a plan of taking on the Rangers under MTC Management.

18    Budget 26/27

18. Budget 26-27

Action: To approve the budget for 26/27.

19    Date/Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Full Council will be held on 9^th March 2026 at the Town Hall.

Macclesfield Town Council Full Council

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on the on 15^th December 2025 at 7pm at Macclesfield Town Hall.

In Attendance:

Cllr Emma Gilman

Cllr James Barber-Chadwick

Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake

Cllr Sam Hale

Cllr Mike Hutchison

Cllr Sandy Livingstone

Cllr Ruth Thompson

Cllr Mick Warren

Cllr Chris Wilcock

Cllr Fiona Wilson

1       Apologies for Absence

Cllr David Edwardes

Cllr Alift Harwood

2       Declarations of Interest

Cllr Warren declared a non-pecuniary interest in 8.4 as a friend of the Silk Trust Chair.

Cllr Bennett-Wake declared a non-pecuniary interest in 8.2 as a trustee of the CAB.

Cllr Barber-Chadwick declared a non-pecuniary interest in 8.4 as a trustee if the Silk Museum.

Public Questions

There were no public questions.

3       Minutes of the Full Council Meeting 22^nd September 2025

Resolved: The minutes were approved.

4       Matters Arising from the Minutes

Resolved: There were no matters arising.

5       Planning Committee

5.1      Planning Committee Minutes 17^th September 2025

5.2      Planning Committee Minutes 12^th November 2025

The minutes were noted.

5.3      Matters arising from the Minutes

There were no matters arising.

6       Finance Committee

6.1      Finance Committee 29^th September 2025

6.2      Finance Committee 17^th November 2025.

The minutes were noted.

6.3      Matters arising from the Minutes

There were no matters arising.

6.4      The spend to date of £547,064 as recommended  by the Finance Committee 17/11/25 was approved.

7       Services Committee

7.1      Services committee Minutes 13^th October 2025

7.2      Services committee Minutes 1^st December 2025

The minutes were noted.

7.3      Matters arising from the Minutes

There were no matters arising from the minutes

8       Community Delivery

8.1      Local Police Unit

The LPU gave apologies for the meeting.

8.2      CAB

Will Mckellor, Chief Officer of the CAB attended to deliver the written report to Council for the period September to November 2025. During this period, the service delivered 10 advice sessions per week in Macclesfield, supporting 786 clients with 1,796 issues and achieving financial outcomes totalling £621,963 in income gains. The main enquiry areas were benefits, debt, housing, employment and utilities, with benefits-related issues remaining the most significant category. Overall demand remained consistent with previous quarters, reflecting ongoing cost-of-living pressures and financial insecurity affecting residents.

Will talked about the wide-ranging impact of the service, illustrated through detailed case studies. These included securing backdated and increased state pension payments, resolving fuel poverty and utility arrears, preventing homelessness through housing advice and rehousing support, assisting with court and legal processes, recovering losses arising from fraud and financial abuse, and significantly increasing incomes through benefit entitlement checks. The case studies demonstrated the value of face-to-face, follow-up support, particularly for vulnerable residents, older people and families, and highlighted the role of Citizens Advice in improving financial stability, wellbeing and access to essential services across the community.

The Council thanked Will, the staff and the volunteers for their continued hard work for the community.

8.3      Silk Museum

Chair Simon Spurell attended to present the report. Firstly, he introduced ed Dr Clare Harding, the new director of the museum. He then talked to the written report submitted to Council. Visitor data showed strong school engagement with confirmed future bookings, while overall museum visitor numbers were slightly down for the quarter due to fewer coach visits; mitigation measures are in place and December activity is expected to improve figures. Curatorial activity was extensive, including significant collections auditing, new donations, research visits, oral history work, and enhanced interpretation through videos and community displays. Paradise Mill visitor numbers continued to increase, supported by national media exposure and new research and international collaboration projects. A varied programme of exhibitions and events was delivered, attracting positive feedback and strong community participation, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund–supported consultation on the future of the museum is progressing, with a report due in January.

Volunteer hours increased year on year, recruitment of young trustees is underway, and new senior staff appointments were confirmed. Social media reach and engagement increased significantly. Financial performance for Q3 showed improved retail spend, transaction values, and overall income compared with the same period last year. A strong external funding pipeline was highlighted across both the Silk Museum and Paradise Mill, alongside recognition of achievements including a Gold Award from Britain in Bloom and ongoing café improvements. Upcoming activities and exhibitions for Q4 and into 2026 were outlined, with continued emphasis on community engagement, consultation outcomes, and strategic development.

The Mayor, thanked Simon and the Museum on behalf of the Council for the report.

8.4      CCTV

The CCTV staff gave their apologies just before the meeting. A report was submitted.

8.5      Library / VIC

The report was noted and well received by Council.

9       Governance Review

9.1      Assertion 10 Report

The report was noted.

9.2      IT Policy

9.3      Publication Scheme

9.4      FOI Policy

9.5      Direct Debit Change and Policy

Resolved: All polices were approved

10   Internal Audit

The conclusion of the audit was noted.

11   Investment Position Statement

The report was noted.

12   Disability Information Bureau Grant Request over £2000

This item was updated as the DIB no longer require the grant.

13   Parks and Play Areas

The report was noted.

14   South Park Pavilion Update Report for Council

Resolved: Council approved the delegation to the South Park working group of the tender process for the pavilion build with the outcomes to come to Full Council for approval.

15   Floral Contract

Resolved: The appointment of a Northwich Town Council as contractor for the floral displays in the town centre.

16   Winter Safety

Resolved: Approval was given for costs related to winter gritting and the refilling of grit boxes.

17   Double Devolution

Resolved:

• Approval was given to establish a Double Devolution Working Group.
• Approval was given for Clerk to produce a plan for taking on the Rangers under MTC Management.

18   Budget 26/27

Resolved: The budget for 26/27 was approved.

19   Date/Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Full Council will be held on 9^th March 2026 at the Town Hall.