Full Council
Manage the strategic delivery of all of the council’s activities.
Dates
Mon 22nd Sep 2025, 7:00pm
In Categories
Location
Macclesfield Town Council Full Council
Macclesfield Town Council Notice of Meeting
12th September 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
22nd September 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 22nd September 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 Thursday18th September 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 Thursday18th September 2025.
3 Minutes of the Full Council Meeting 28th July 2025
3. Minutes Full Council 28 07 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 16th July 2025
To note the minutes above.
5.2 Matters arising from the Minutes
To consider any matters arising from the minutes.
6 Community Delivery
6.1 Local Police Unit
Chief Inspector to brief the Council.
6.2 CAB
To receive and note the report.
6.3 Silk Museum
To receive and note the report.
7 Governance Review
7.1 Planning ToR
7.1 MTC Planning Committee ToR
7.2 Standing Orders for Contracts
7.2 Standing Orders for Contracts August 2025 Updated
7.3 Financial Regulations
7.3 Financial Regulations August 2025
7.4 Branding Policy
Action: To consider the attached policies.
8 Notice of Conclusion of Audit 2024/25
8. Notice of Conclusion of Audit
To note the conclusion of the audit.
9 Town Council Champions
Action: To approve the proposal for a School Liaison Champion.
10 South Park Pavilion Update Report for Council
To note the report.
11 Parks and Play Areas
To note the report of updates.
12 Town Centre Regeneration Working Group
12. Town Centre Regeneration Working Group
To note the report.
13 Town Council Premises
Action: To consider the proposal in the report for the Town Council Offices
14 Floral Contract
14. Floral Invitation to Tender
Action: To approve the procurement process for a floral contractor for the town centre.
15 UKSPF Funding
Action: To approve the budget for the UKSPF funded project.
16 Date/Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Full Council will be held on 15th December at the Town Hall.
Macclesfield Town Council Full Council
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on the on 22nd September 2025 at 7pm at Macclesfield Town Hall.
1 Apologies for Absence
Cllr James Barber-Chadwick
Cllr David Edwardes
Cllr Sam Hale
Cllr Fiona Wilson
2 Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
Public Questions
The meeting was adjourned to invite comments and questions from the public.
There were no public questions.
The meeting was then reconvened.
3 Minutes of the Full Council Meeting 28th July 2025
Resolved: The minutes were approved.
4 Matters Arising from the Minutes
Resolved: There were no matters arising from the minutes.
5 Planning Committee
5.1 Planning Committee Minutes 16th July 2025
The minutes above were noted.
5.2 Matters arising from the Minutes
There were no matters arising from the minutes.
6 Community Delivery
6.1 Local Police Unit
Sgt. Helen Percival attended the meeting to provide an update to the Council. She reported that, since 1st June, emergency (Grade 1) calls were responded to within 15 minutes in 86.9% of cases, while Grade 2 responses reached 85.9%, slightly below the 90% target. In terms of crime, 47% of shoplifting offenders have been brought to justice. In Tytherington and surrounding areas, seven individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with burglaries. Vehicle crime has significantly reduced, with only five cars reported stolen in Macclesfield over the summer period.
Sgt. Percival highlighted successful community engagement. Information from residents around Park Lane contributed to the execution of a warrant, resulting in the seizure of £750,000 worth of drugs. Two individuals were arrested, and one has pleaded guilty. Stop-and-search activity at the station has been effective, resulting in community orders, and joint work with Trading Standards has led to the seizure of illegal vapes.
Cllr Warren asked about antisocial behaviour at the Park Lane underpass. Sgt. Percival confirmed it is treated as a hotspot and receives additional patrols. Recent interventions have successfully reduced antisocial behaviour, including preventing fires.
Cllr Bennet-Wake asked about the prevalence of cannabis smoking, noting complaints from residents about the smell. Sgt. Percival explained that while the police cannot enter properties based on smell alone, they advise residents to report issues and work with Peaks and Plains Housing, who send warning letters to offenders.
Cllr Livingstone thanked the police for their work tackling antisocial behaviour and the recent drug seizure in the Central Ward.
6.2 CAB
Will McKellar attended to update the Council, referring to the written report submitted. He noted that statistics compared to the last quarter were very similar. The organisation has maximised income for clients totaling £389,000. The main issues faced by clients remain consistent, including housing, welfare benefits, debt, and employment. They are working with CORE and attend sessions while the pantry is open to engage with people, which has been effective.
Cllr Bennet-Wake asked whether statistics could be provided on people who are in work and receiving welfare benefits. Will McKellar confirmed that he would provide this information. Cllr Bennet-Wake also noted that at the Green in the Corner on Hurdsfield, a service is being considered to provide fruit and vegetables on prescription to help address food poverty, as getting 5 a day costs so much of residents salaries but is so essential for health equality.
6.3 Silk Museum
Hannah Williamson, Vice Chair of the Silk Trust, attended the meeting and introduced the new Chair of the Trust, Simon Spurell. They provided an update referring to the written report submitted to Council.
Visitor numbers remain positive, though not yet at the desired level. Paradise Mill has two curators supported by lottery funding, who are working on repairing the looms and providing accessible tours. The Trust reported a 30% increase in volunteering, including new weavers and storytellers, and the recruitment of new board members. They are also seeking to recruit younger board members.
Summer events have been very successful, with the Cardboard Clues sessions and the 1261 Bumble Creative event highlighted as particularly well received. The exhibitions have maintained a very high standard.
Emma Anderson, the Director, is leaving and asked Hannah Williamson to pass on that it had been a privilege to work with the Council. A new Director, Dr Clare Harding, has been appointed. The new Chair, Simon Spurell, introduced himself. A lifelong Maxonian, he is quickly familiarising himself with the museum and Trust and expressed a desire to raise awareness of the museum’s activities and to develop sustainable income streams.
Cllr Livingstone congratulated the Museum on the quality of the exhibitions and the weavers who were bringing the mill to life and also thanked Emma for all her work.
Cllr Bennett-Wake asked whether there was an opportunity to work with other museums, particularly in light of devolution. She also thanked Emma and welcomed the new staff.
Cllr Harewood noted that she knew people who had previously worked at the mill as weavers, and Hannah suggested that they contact the History Hunters project, who would be very happy to record their stories.
7 Governance Review
7.1 Planning ToR
7.2 Standing Orders for Contracts
7.3 Financial Regulations
7.4 Branding Policy
Resolved: The above policies were approved.
8 Notice of Conclusion of Audit 2024/25
The conclusion of the audit was noted. There were no issues.
9 Town Council Champions
Resolved: Cllr Emma Gilman was approved as School Liaison Champion.
10 South Park Pavilion Update Report for Council
The report was noted.
11 Parks and Play Areas
The report of was noted.
12 Town Centre Regeneration Working Group
The report was noted.
13 Town Council Premises
Resolved: The proposal to move the Town Council premises was approved.
14 Floral Contract
Resolved: The procurement process for a floral contractor for the town centre was approved.
15 UKSPF Funding
Resolved: The budget for the UKSPF funded project was approved.
16 Date/Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Full Council will be held on 15th December at the Town Hall.
Chair: Cllr Emma Gilman
Clerk: Laura Smith
Meeting Closed: 8:14pm