SUMMER’S gone, autumn’s here and now you’ve got over the shock of the bright and breezy new Knutsford Guardian design, there’s another change for you to deal with – The Knutsfordian.

Yes, The Knutsfordian, a name loved and loathed (particularly by those called Ian) in equal measures by the people of Knutsford.

It’s a name which echoes the days when The Times was known as The Thunderer, and as such is the perfect name for this column which will comment on and question the issues facing the town – past, present and future.

To kick off this new column, The Knutsfordian is looking at strategy, the latest buzz word to invade local democracy, and this week we have two strategies to consider as Knutsfordians.

First up is Knutsford Town Council’s seven-year Strategic Plan, which is currently open for consultation.

The Knutsfordian hasn’t read it – yet – but the index shows the ‘key areas of concern and focus’ to be on page six of a seven-page document.

Page five is devoted to ‘strategic risk assessment’. Priorities councillors, priorities.

It’s worth remembering that town councillors have a fixed four-year term and will be up en masse for re-election in 2015.

With 20 months to go, why plan for seven years? Surely the next batch will have their own strategy.

In second strategy place is Cheshire East Council’s Core Strategy, also known as the Cheshire East Local Plan.

Voters can’t actually read it at the moment, but why let that get in the way of an ‘Emerging Core Strategy Briefing’?

For Knutsford there’s a new school but no location, a new medical centre but no location.

‘Only’ 300 homes planned for the Green Belt, plus 250 where Cheshire East Council has met the least resistance, including on land once earmarked for industry.

The best news is the promised redevelopment of Canute Place, Knutsford’s very own 1960s eyesore, which, along with the improvements planned for King Street, will make for a very attractive town centre.

Shame then that there’s no mention of improving public transport – just a £1 billion investment in building roads across the borough.

Unbelievably, Knutsford doesn’t need any social housing between now and 2030. Yes. Unbelievable.

  • PS – The Knutsfordian is amazed that Knutsford Town Council’s personnel committee discussed a new employee dress code.

Yes, an employee dress code applicable to all their employees. Both of them.

  • PPS – George Osborne’s new hairstyle, Knutsford or Notsford?