Full Council
Manage the strategic delivery of all of the council’s activities.
Macclesfield Town Council Full Council
Macclesfield Town Council Notice of Meeting
10th July 2026
To Chair Cllr James Barber- Chadwick and Councillors, Sarah Bennett-Wake, David Edwardes, Emma Gilman Sam Hale, Alift Harewood-Jones, Mike Hutchison, 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
20th July 2026
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 20th July 2026 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 or submit a written statement please email [email protected] by 5pm Thursday 16th July 2026. Every practicable effort will be made to try and arrange your inclusion.
3 To receive written applications for the office of Town Councillor and to co-opt a candidate to fill the vacancy for Central Ward
Action: to consider the candidates for the casual vacancy for a councillor to represent the Central Ward.
Note: Candidates will be given up to 5 mins to address the Council on reasons they should become a Town Councillor. Councillors may ask questions to the candidates and the Mayor will ask Councillors if they need a short recess for discussions.
A secret ballot will take then place, counted by the Clerk and checked by the Admin and Governance Manager. The results will be given to the Mayor for announcement of the successful candidate.
The successful candidate will sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and be invited to attend the meeting and the Mayor will continue with the agenda.
4 Minutes of the Full Council Meeting 18th May 2026
4. Full Council MInutes 18th May 2026
Action: To approve the minutes
5 Matters Arising from the Minutes
Action: To consider any matters arising from the minutes.
6 Planning Committee
6.1 Planning Committee Minutes 11thMarch 2026
6.1 MTC PC Minutes 11th March
To note the minutes above.
6.2 Matters arising from the Minutes
To consider any matters arising from the minutes.
7 Finance Committee
7.1 Finance Committee 20th April 2026
7.1 Finance Committee Minutes 20th April 2026
7.2 Finance Committee 22nd June 2026
7.2 Finance Committee Minutes 22nd June 26
To note the minutes
7.3 Matters arising from the Minutes
To consider any matters arising from the minutes
7.4 To approve the spend to date of £220,854 as approved by the Finance Committee 22nd June 2026
8 Services Committee
8.1 Services Committee 2nd March 2026
8.1 Services Committee MInutes 2nd March 2026
To note the minutes
9 Community Delivery
9.1 Local Police Unit
9.1 LPU
Chief Inspector to brief the Council.
9.2 CAB
9.2 CAB
To receive and note the report.
9.3 Silk Museum
9.3 Silk Museum
To receive and note the report.
9.4 CCTV
9.4. CCTV
To receive and note the report.
9.5 Library / VIC
9.5 Macc Library Feb – April 26.pdf
To receive and note the report.
10 Governance Review
10.1 Sponsorship Policy
10.1 Sponsorship Policy
10.2 EIA
10.2 Equality Impact Assessment policy
Action: To consider the attached policies for approval.
11 CEC Local Service Delivery
11. Local Service Delivery
Action: To consider the recommendations in the report.
12 Christmas Lights
12. Christmas Lights
To note the report.
13 Parks and Play Areas
13. Parks and Play Areas
Action: To approve the recommendations.
14 Churchside ASB
9.4. CCTV
To note the report.
15 Business Improvement District (BID)
15 Business Improvement District
Action: To consider the proposal in the report.
16 Buses
16. Bus Report June 2026
To note the report.
17 Grant over £2000
17. Grant Over £2000
Action: To consider the grant for £6000.
18 Town of Culture
18. Town of Culture
To note the report.
19 Date/Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Full Council will be held on 21st September 2026 at the Town Hall.
Macclesfield Town Council
Full Council 20th July 2026
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on the on 20th July 2026 at 7pm at Macclesfield Town Hall.
In Attendance:
Cllr James Barber-Chadwick
Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake
Cllr David Edwardes
Cllr Emma Gilman
Cllr Sam Hale
Cllr Alift Harewood
Cllr Mike Hutchison
Cllr Ruth Thompson
Cllr Chris Wilcock
Cllr Fiona Wilson
1 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Mick Warren.
2 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9.2 as a Trustee of the CAB.
Public Questions
The Council received a presentation from Mo Aswat of the Mosaic Partnership on the proposed Macclesfield Business Improvement District (BID), agenda item 15.
He advised that the feasibility study, funded by Macclesfield Town Council, had identified strong support from local businesses for progressing a BID. Approximately 110 businesses and organisations were consulted, with the proposal now focusing on the core town centre following feedback that out-of-town retailers would be unlikely to support the scheme.
If approved through a statutory ballot, the BID would generate approximately £280,000 per year, for 5 years, to deliver projects that provide additional services and improvements beyond those provided by the local authority and Town Council. Potential priorities include town centre marketing and promotion, business support, joint procurement initiatives, and enhancements to events and visitor experience. Council was informed that the BID levy would be based on a percentage of each business’s rateable value and would only come into effect if approved by a majority of businesses both by number and rateable value.
The proposed timetable would see further business engagement and consultation during 2026, the preparation of a Business Plan, and a postal ballot in March 2027. The Town Council would be represented on the BID Task Group and subsequent BID Board, if the ballot was positive.
Cllr Hutchison asked how many businesses would contribute to the BID and whether the levy would be fair to smaller businesses. It was explained that the levy is based on rateable value, making contributions proportionate to business size. The BID can only proceed if approved by a majority of businesses both by number and rateable value, after which the levy becomes mandatory.
Cllr Edwardes queried whether the proposed five-year term could be reduced to align with local election cycles. It was confirmed that five years is the maximum term permitted by legislation and, although shorter terms are possible, they are rarely adopted due to the time and investment required to establish a BID. He also asked how the BID would be held accountable. Mo explained that the BID company would publish annual reports and accounts detailing its activities and expenditure.
Cllr Fiona Wilson asked why out-of-town supermarkets would not be included within the proposed BID area. Mo explained that major retailers such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s generally operate a national policy of not supporting BID levies for out-of-town stores, and therefore the BID boundary had been revised to focus on the town centre to maximise the likelihood of a successful ballot.
Cllr Wilson also asked how a BID could influence parking charges as it had stated in the feasibility study. Mo said, although a BID could not directly reduce parking charges, it could fund promotional initiatives such as free parking campaigns at key times and work with the relevant authorities to influence future parking policy.
Cllr Wilson also sought clarification on the proposed ballot timetable. It was confirmed that, subject to funding, consultation with businesses would take place before Christmas, with a postal ballot scheduled for March.
Cllr Wilson further queried a discrepancy within the indicative budget figures contained in the report. It was explained that the additional income reflected anticipated grant funding and other external income commonly secured by BIDs alongside levy income, and it was acknowledged that this could be made clearer within the published budget.
Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake asked what proportion of businesses had been consulted during the feasibility study. It was confirmed that approximately 110 businesses and organisations had been engaged, representing around 20% of the businesses within the proposed BID area, with around 90% of those consulted being located within the town centre. See Agenda Item 15.
Next, the Council received a presentation from Kevin Hoines in support of the Lime Green Community Hall grant application. Mr Hoines outlined feedback received from local residents, highlighting strong support for the project. He advised that residents believed the community hall would provide an accessible venue for social activities, family events, community support initiatives and activities to help address social isolation and the cost of living. He also reported that the community consultation had generated a high level of positive responses, with residents volunteering, donating and signing up to receive further information.
Cllr Emma Gilman asked how the proposed community hall, located in Sutton, would benefit residents of Macclesfield South Ward. Cllr Fiona Wilson, as the South Ward Councillor, explained that she had been involved in the community engagement process and advised that residents on the Treacle Avenue and Lyme Avenue were the closest to the site and had shown support for the project. She also noted the significant levels of deprivation within South Ward and considered the hall would provide valuable facilities and community support for local residents. Cllr Emma Gilman commented that, although she would not normally support a project located outside the town boundary, she recognised the benefits it would provide to residents of Macclesfield South Ward and thanked Cllr Wilson for her explanation.
Cllr David Edwards sought clarification on the exact location of the proposed community hall. It was explained that the site is adjacent to South Park, immediately beyond the town boundary near the canal, on land provided as part of the nearby housing development. Cllr David Edwards also asked whether youth facilities would be provided. It was confirmed that the hall would offer a range of activities for all age groups, including youth provision, with programmes developed in partnership with local organisations where appropriate. See Agenda Item 17
The Council received an update from Will McKellor, CEO, of Citizens Advice Cheshire, who informed Council that Citizens Advice Cheshire East and Citizens Advice Cheshire East North had merged in April, creating a single organisation. The report highlighted continued demand for advice on welfare benefits, debt and housing, with an increase in clients and cases. Members were also advised that additional local resources would be available in Macclesfield following the merger.
Cllr Sarah Bennett- Wake asked what could be done to reduce the increasing number of private landlords leaving the rental market. Will explained that clearer information for landlords about the implications of legislative changes may help reduce uncertainty, although the shortage of affordable and social housing remained a significant challenge.
Cllr David Edwards asked about the relationship between Citizens Advice and Cheshire East Trading Standards. Will explained that consumer issues are initially dealt with through the national Citizens Advice consumer helpline, with referrals made to local Trading Standards where appropriate.
Cllr Fiona Wilson welcomed the outreach work being undertaken within the community and asked whether it had resulted in more cases being identified. Will confirmed that proactive engagement at community venues, food banks and local events was reaching vulnerable residents who may not otherwise seek advice and was identifying additional cases requiring support.
Cllr Chris Wilcock raised concerns regarding scam telephone calls claiming to be from Citizens Advice and asked whether any awareness campaigns were planned. Will confirmed that the issue would be raised with the National Citizens Advice organisation to establish whether it was a wider trend and whether public awareness messaging could be issued.
Cllr Harewood commented that the underlying issue remained the shortage of affordable housing and that increasing housing supply was essential to addressing long-term housing insecurity. See Agenda Item 9.2
Dr Claire Harding, Director of the Silk Museum, thanked the Council for its continued support, particularly for the 1261 Festival, which had been a significant success. The museum welcomed over 400 visitors on the day, many of whom were local residents visiting for the first time. She also highlighted the forthcoming Textile Week, supported by the Council, which would feature around 50 events across Macclesfield.
Next, Dr Harding outlined the museum’s new five-year business plan, focused on ensuring the Silk Museum remains a valued and relevant part of Macclesfield’s future. Key priorities included:
- Increasing visitors and supporting the town centre economy, with visitor numbers having increased by 21% in the previous year.
- Supporting young people, including work experience, skills development, and partnerships with local schools, colleges and young people facing barriers to employment.
- Improving access and inclusion, with the museum remaining free to enter and undertaking a full access audit, with a commitment to ensuring the museum is welcoming to all communities.
- Capital development plans, including future improvements to create flexible event spaces, exhibition areas, improved visitor facilities and enhanced accessibility.
- Financial sustainability, through increasing earned income, fundraising and building reserves, while recognising the importance of the Council’s ongoing financial support.
Dr Harding explained that the Council’s funding contribution was important not only for supporting the museum’s work locally but also as evidence of community support when applying for external grants. She noted that the Council’s contribution of £20,000 helps leverage significant additional funding.
The museum’s ambition was to become an anchor institution at the heart of Macclesfield’s civic and creative life, supporting artists, makers, community groups and residents, while developing lifelong engagement with visitors from childhood through to adulthood.
Cllr David Edwardes discussed opportunities to increase tourism links with other regional attractions, including potential joint initiatives and encouraging visitors to spend more time in Macclesfield. Dr Harding advised that the museum was developing stronger networks with regional organisations and collecting visitor data to better understand visitor journeys and opportunities for collaboration.
Cllr Fiona Wilson also welcomed the forthcoming Bayeux Tapestry project, which Dr Harding, said was supported through a £5,000 grant from the British Museum. This sees the Silk Museum act as a regional partner and deliver activities involving local artists, schools and communities during Textile Week and beyond.
Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake welcomed the museum’s focus on accessibility and offered to facilitate engagement with local residents to support the museum’s access work.
Dr Harding thanked the Council for its continued partnership and confirmed that progress against the business plan would be monitored through regular reporting and annual reviews.See Agenda Item 9.3
3 To receive written applications for the office of Town Councillor and to co-opt a candidate to fill the vacancy for Central Ward
Resolved :Chris Kendrew was co-opted as a Councillor for Macclesfield Central Ward.
4 Minutes of the Full Council Meeting 18th May 2026
Resolved: The minutes were approved.
5 Matters Arising from the Minutes
Resolved: There were no matters arising.
6 Planning Committee
6.1 Planning Committee Minutes 11thMarch 2026
The minutes were noted.
6.2 Matters arising from the Minutes
Cllr Hutchison, Chair of the Planning Committee, requested additional Members to join the Planning Committee.
7 Finance Committee
7.1 Finance Committee 20th April 2026
7.2 Finance Committee 22nd June 2026
The minutes were noted.
7.3 Matters arising from the Minutes
There were no matters arising.
7.4 Resolved: The spend to date of £220,854 as approved by the Finance Committee 22nd June 2026 was approved.
8 Services Committee
8.1 Services Committee 2nd March 2026
The minutes were noted.
9 Community Delivery
9.1 Local Police Unit
The report was noted.
9.2 CAB
The report was noted.
9.3 Silk Museum
The report was noted.
9.4 CCTV
The report was noted.
9.5 Library / VIC
The report was noted.
10 Governance Review
10.1 Sponsorship Policy
10.2 EIA
Resolved: The attached policies were approved.
11 CEC Local Service Delivery
Resolved: The recommendations in the report were approved.
12 Christmas Lights
The report was noted.
13 Parks and Play Areas
Resolved: The recommendations were approved.
14 Churchside ASB
The report was noted.
15 Business Improvement District (BID)
Resolved: The proposal in the report was approved.
16 Buses
Resolved: The following information was provided at the meeting:
The cost of the bus days for the Do Something Summer programme has increased from £1603 to £2013, however, this reflects a significant increase in the level of service provided with more routes added. The revised costs were approved for the duration of the Do Something Summer programme for 2026.
17 Grant over £2000
Resolved: The grant for £6000 was approved.
18 Town of Culture
The report was noted.
19 Date/Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Full Council will be held on 21st September 2026 at the Town Hall.