Handforth Town Council represents the residents of Handforth and is the most local level of government.
Handforth Town Council is elected by, and represents, the residents of Handforth. Town councillors are normally elected but are sometimes recruited by a process of co-option. Councillors normally serve for a period of four years. They meet on a regular basis to discuss the immediate work of the council and to draw up plans for the future. The work of Handforth Town Council falls into three areas: (a) representing the community (b) commenting on planning applications (c) delivering services at a local level (see below). Town Council meetings are open to the public.
Handforth Town Council is funded by the ‘Precept’, a local tax collected on the council’s behalf by Cheshire East Council from your council tax. Details can be found on our Accounts page or at the Cheshire East Website. There are strict rules about how town councils spend money and the accounts are audited on an annual basis. The results of the audit and the activities of the council are available, on this website, for inspection by residents.
The Town Council works in partnership with Cheshire East Council but is independent of it. Since Cheshire East Council is reducing the number of non-statutory services that it provides, this results in an increased workload for town councils. Town councils are therefore being asked to deliver more services at a local level; these services are aimed at improving life for residents of Handforth as a whole and providing activities for both the young and the elderly. Our local services currently include:
Floral Planters
Each year Handforth Town Council (HTC) provides and services attractive floral planters in the town centre, in various residential estates and on the station concourse. In this respect HTC works in partnership with Oak Nurseries of Lees Lane, who stock and then maintain the planters throughout the year. More recently HTC have worked in partnership with 1st Handforth Scouts to provide summer plants in Handforth.
Town Ranger
HTC employs a Town Ranger (handyman) in order to enhance our public areas. This is additional to the services provided by Cheshire East Council. The Town Ranger’s duties include cutting grass, litter picking, cutting overhanging hedges and tree branches and clearing footpaths of leaves and mud.
CCTV
HTC have employed local CCTV subcontractors to install a new CCTV system which monitors the Town Centre. This supersedes the previous Cheshire East Council CCTV system which is monitored remotely in Macclesfield and is far more costly to each Town and Parish Council which uses the Cheshire East system through the CCTV chargeback scheme.
Defibrillators
Whilst there are a number of defibrillator units in various locations throughout Handforth (hopefully the Town Council will soon produce a map of these locations) HTC have purchased one for public use which is mounted at the junction of Wilmslow Road and Meriton Road in the centre of Handforth. In early 2024 two further defibrillators were purchased and installed, one at the GoLocal on Spath Lane and one at the Handforth Youth Centre.
Remembrance Day Parade
Each year HTC organizes a remembrance day parade. The parade is usually accompanied by a pipe band. The parade marches from the Community Centre to St Chad’s church and then onwards to the war memorial. Costs include fees of the pipe band and fees associated with temporary road closures. The Town Council has also budgeted for the costs of maintaining the war memorial.
Christmas Lights
HTC arranges the installation of, and provision of electrical power for, the Christmas light displays.
Christmas Lights Switch On Event
HTC organizes a Christmas Lights Switch On event. This is normally held in the Paddock and includes a Santa’s Grotto and numerous stalls manned by local clubs and community groups. The event usually includes music and singing by choirs from local junior schools.
Pantomime
Each year HTC stages a pantomime. The pantomime is held in the Community Centre and is performed by a professional company. It has proved extremely popular with local youngsters and their parents.
Grants
HTC provides grants of up to £1000 for local charities and community groups. These grants are intended to support projects with a clear end point. HTC is also able to assist local charities and community groups with ongoing expenses.
Handforth Library
Following further cuts by Cheshire East Council to library services in Handforth, HTC have recently agreed to fund a top-up amount for library services, this will fund an additional half day opening for Handforth Library.
More information about the operation of Handforth Town Council can be obtained on pages of this website or from the Town Clerk.