Town Council – 21st October 2019 – following Finance Committee (6.45pm approx.)

AGENDA

PART A

Opening/Formal Items

1. APOLOGIES
   Members must provide apologies to the Town Clerk before 5.00pm on the day of the meeting, together with reasons for their absence.
   
   
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
   Members to declare any interest under the following categories: –
   
   Disclosable Pecuniary Interest
   Outside Bodies Interest
   Family, Friend or Close Associate Interest
   
   
3. OPEN FORUM
   An open forum will be held when Members of the public will be invited to speak for a maximum total duration of 15 minutes on items included in the Part A agenda, copies of which will be available at the meeting.
   
   
4. MINUTES
   To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 16^th September 2019 (A).
   
   
5. ARISING
   To discuss any points arising from the above minutes (for report, not for resolution).
   
   
   Items for Decision/Note
   
6. MAYOR’S REMARKS AND COMMUNICATIONS
   A list of Civic engagements since the last meeting is attached. (B)
   
   
7. CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY
   Members will recall that, at the last meeting of the Town Council, Members approved a motion which as the Town Clerk to prepare a report entitled ‘A Climate Change Strategy’ for the October meeting of the Town Council. This strategy is focused on reducing the Town Council’s carbon footprint and commits the council to become carbon neutral by 2030 at the latest.
   
   An outline of this Strategy is to be found at (C).
   
   RECOMMENDATION:
   Members are asked to approve or otherwise the outline strategy as set out in attachment (C).
   
   
8. PARKS AND OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE
   To receive nominations for the Parks and Open Spaces Committee. As agreed at the last meeting of the Town Council, the number of members of the committee will be five in total, with the Town Mayor ex-officio.
   RECOMMENDATION:
   Members are asked to nominate members of the Parks and Open Spaces Committee as outlined above.
   
   
9. YOUTH ENGAGEMENT WORKING GROUP
   It is proposed by Members to establish a Working Group to encourage engagement with young people.
   Members are asked to consider this proposal and to note the draft Terms of Reference attached at (D).
   RECOMMENDATION:
   Members are asked to consider the establishment of a Town Council Working Group to encourage engagement with young people. Draft Terms of Reference are attached at (D).
   
   
10. CHESHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
    Members of the Town Council have been contacted by the Chair of the Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association to ask for support in promoting the benefits of Neighbourhood Watch to town and parish councils.
    The CWNA works in partnership with Cheshire Police and receives funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner.
    The main goal in Cheshire for the Association is to increase the number of active Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and see town/parish councils as part of achieving that goal.
    Members are therefore asked to promote the importance of Neighbourhood Watch and the Town Council is asked to nominate a Councillor to promote Neighbourhood Watch in Winsford and to be a point of contact for the CNWA. More information can be found at www.cheshire.ourwatch.org.uk.
    RECOMMENDATION:
    Members are asked to note the above information and also are asked to nominate a representative to deal with issues relating to Neighbourhood Watch.
    
    
11. INTRODUCTION OF 20 MPH SPEED LIMITS IN WINSFORD
    CWAC has proposed the introduction of six further 20 mph speed limit areas within Winsford. The details of the areas affected are included in attachment (E).
    RECOMMENDATION:         
    Members are asked to note the contents of the attachment (E) and are also asked to provide any comments as part of the consultation process.
    
    
12. WINSFORD LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEK
    Members will be aware that a number of events will be taking place across the country as part of the National Democracy Week initiative during October 2019.
    As part of this work, Winsford Town Council held a mock Council meeting with the pupils at Willow Wood Primary School. The pupils had written to the Council about environmental issues and in particular the use of plastic straws and cartons with their school milk (provided by the Town Council).
    The notes from this meeting can be found at (F) and the Council is asked to approve a request to the milk suppliers – Tomlinson’s Diaries – to provide other types of straws and containers for their milk.
    As well as this meeting, Members are also asked to consider what other events to hold, if any, as part of a Winsford Local Democracy Week. It is suggested that the Week should take place in mid-November.
    In terms of the events which have taken place in previous years, see attachment (G) which is a list of events from 2015.
    RECOMMENDATION: 
    Members are asked to note attachment (F) and are asked to consider whether or not to request the use of sustainable materials in the delivery of school milk in Winsford.
    Members are further asked to note attachment (G) and are asked to consider possible events for a Winsford Local Democracy Week in mid-November 2019.
    
    
13. SPONSORSHIP POLICY
    Members will be aware that the Town Council is increasingly offering and entering into sponsorship arrangements as a means of raising additional income for events and other projects.
    These arrangements are intended to be mutually beneficial for the Town Council and the sponsor(s) concerned.
    The attached draft policy seeks to provide a framework to these sponsorship arrangements.                                                 (H)
    RECOMMENDATION:
    Members are asked to consider the attached draft policy and amend, approve or otherwise.
    
    
14. REMEMBRANCE DAY 2019
    The Clerk will provide a verbal update on the latest position in relation to arrangements for the Remembrance Day Parade and Service in Winsford on 10^th November 2019.
    Members will be aware that, following many years of welcome support by the police, arrangements for road closures in order to hold parades now rest with the relevant town or parish council in each area of Cheshire West.
    In Winsford, an offer to arrange this parade on behalf of the Town Council has been made by CWAC, although this would mean changing the parade route.
    Work is still ongoing at the time of the agenda being distributed on this matter and an update will therefore be provided at the meeting.
                                                   

Committees/Sub-Committees of the Council

1. FINANCE COMMITTEE
   To ratify the minutes of the Finance Committee (I) held on 16^th September 2019 (approved by the Finance Committee at its meeting held earlier).
   
   
2. BRUNNER GUILDHALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
   The minutes of the Brunner Guildhall Management Committee meeting held on 15^th October 2019 (J) are attached for information.
   
   
3. PLANNING COMMITTEE
   The minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 24^th September 2019 (K) and 8^th October 2019 (L) are attached for ratification.
   
   
4. CHRISTMAS STREET FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
   The minutes of the Christmas Street Festival Committee meetings held on 19^th September 2019 (M); 3rd October 2019 (N); and 17^th October 2019 (O) are attached for ratification.
   
   
5. MEMBERS TECHNOLOGY WORKING GROUP
   The minutes of the Members Technology Working Group held on 16^th October 2019 are attached for ratification. (P)
   
   

PART B

1. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
   Due to their confidential nature, Members may decide to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following matters in accordance with section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960. Reports relating to these items have been withheld from public circulation and deposit.
   
   
2. CODE OF CONDUCT
   Members have asked that this item is included on the agenda. A copy of the Town Council’s Code of Conduct is attached for information. (Q)
   
   
3. CCTV
   An update on the current position with regard to the CCTV arrangements for the Town Council will be provided to Members. (R)   
   
   
4. UPDATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY
   An update on issues affecting social media will be provided at the meeting.

Agenda

Minutes

Supporting Documents