Minutes 23/03/2026
NOTE THAT THE MINUTES REMAIN IN DRAFT FORMAT UNTIL APPROVED AT THE NEXT FULL COUNCIL MEETING IN MAY 2026
Meeting Pack
Agenda – Meeting 10 (2025/26)
Minutes and an audio recording will be made available as soon as possible after the meeting.
1. Apologies and reasons for absence
To receive apologies and note reasons for absence from members.
2. Declarations of interest
To note any declarations of interest on items which are on the agenda.
3. PCSO
To note the report provided by PCSO N Flanagan.
4. Frodsham Leisure Centre
To receive an update on the Leisure Centre development from Anna Ranger, Economic Growth Programme Manager (Leisure and Market Towns) Cheshire West and Chester Council and Kerry Goryl Operations Director at Brio Leisure.
5. Public participation
Members of the public are invited to speak on items which are on the agenda in accordance with FTC policy on public speaking at meetings.
6. CWAC
To note the report provided by Cllr Garvey and Sumner.
7. Minutes
To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 26th January 2026.
8. Finance
(a) To approve and sign the Finance Report for the period 1st February to 28th February 2026.
(b) To note that the sum of all bank accounts as at 28th February 2026 was £341,776.
(c) To note that the January & February bank reconciliation have been signed against the bank statement and cashbook by Cllr Wood.
(d) To nominate a councillor to check and sign the bank reconciliation reports for month ending 31st March 2026.
9. Committee appointment
To appoint Cllr Hook to both the Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Events Committee.
10. Internal audit
(a) To note the Town Clerk’s report on the provision of interim and year-end internal audits, and the year-end external audit.
(b) To note that the interim internal audit has been completed covering both financial and governance checks as per the Practitioner’s Guide 2025 (https://www.nalc.gov.uk/resource/practitioners-guide-2025.html) and in accordance with the Annual Governance and Accountability Return and reported to the Finance & General Purposes Committee, actions indicated have been completed and the action log has been updated (copy provided in meeting pack).
(c) To note that FTC’s Financial Regulations require the Clerk, once two councillors’ signatures have been obtained on each invoice, to set up online payments and submit them to two authorised signatories for online approval (para 7.4), however the Co-operative Business Bank only allows one authorised signatory to complete the payment authorisation.
(d) To consider an amendment to Finance Regulations to amend para 7.4 to one authorised signatory in line with the Co-operative Business Bank authority.
11. BT consultation – phone box O/S 101 Main Street
To note BT’s consultation on the removal of telephony equipment from the listed telephone kiosk and to consider relocating the defibrillator currently at the Sainsbury’s store to the kiosk, together with the installation of a bleed kit.
12. Frodsham Leisure Centre
(a) To note a request for funding.
(b) To agree action to be taken.
13. Pubwatch
To receive an update from Cllr Lofts.
14. Artisan Market
(a) To note the advice of the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) that the Artisan Market should be granted a licence to regularise its operation having operated on a monthly basis since March 2024.
(b) To approve the market licence prepared by the Town Clerk in consultation with NABMA, and to note NABMA’s advice that there is no requirement to restrict the number of stalls operated by the licence holder, other than by specifying an appropriate geographical limit within the licence agreement.
(c) To note the report provided by the Town Clerk in relation to the TRO for the Artisan Market which took place on 20th December 2025.
15. Asset Register
To approve the updated Asset Register submitted by the Town Clerk and to note that a physical verification of the condition of the listed assets was carried out by the Town Clerk during February 2026.
16. Insurance review
To note that the Town Clerk conducted an insurance review on 4 March 2026, which was submitted to Zurich Municipal, and that Zurich Municipal have updated the insurance schedule to reflect the revised valuations.
17. Risk Assessment
To approve the updated Risk Assessment provided by the Town Clerk.
18. Frodsham Solar
To consider inviting Glyn Morris (FFOW), Paul Friston (CWAC), and Andrew Russell (Axis Planning Consultants) to attend a Full Council meeting to discuss the Public Rights of Way Management Plan, Solar Farm queries, and potential modifications to the Landscape and Ecology Master Plan to mitigate impacts.
19. Recording meetings
(a) To note the report provided by the Town Clerk.
(b) To consider the recommendations of the Town Clerk.
20. Preferred suppliers
To note that, at the Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting held on 23rd February 2026, a list of preferred suppliers was unanimously approved in accordance with the committee’s terms of reference and Scheme of Delegation to the Clerk (para 3.12).
21. Governance relationships with external companies
(a) To note that the report from the independent auditor, JDH Business Services, following the interim internal audit completed in February 2026, confirms that no governance risks, instances of non-compliance, or issues relating to policies, procedures, or procurement activities were identified (see also item 10b).
(b) To note that Cllr Moorcroft has requested consideration of governance matters relating to the Council’s relationship with external companies, including any associated risks, compliance with policies and procedures.
22. Next Meeting
18th May 2026 at Forest Hills Hotel, Frodsham.