A SEA of empty chairs faced Knutsford councillors last week as they gathered at the civic centre to answer questions from the people who had elected them.

Just one resident - Pam Duxbury of Woodvale Road - occupied one of the 30 chairs.

But the Knutsford Civic Society member did not need to ask a question because she regularly attends the council's fortnightly meetings.

With no-one to answer to, the 15 town councillors were left talking amongst themselves. "Are we supposed to take questions from each other?" asked deputy mayor Tony Ranfield. After a brief pause town mayor Wilson Hamman read a four-page statement to councillors about their achievements and concerns.

Preaching

"I feel I'm preaching to the converted," he said.

Councillor Hamman said his colleagues were disappointed by delays in building the £15million Royal George development and a multi-storey car park in Tatton Street.

He also mentioned changes to pub licensing laws, planning rules and dog fouling fines. The mayor said plans for an M6 expressway near Knutsford were also important.

"It is reluctantly accepted that widening of the M6 is preferred," he said.

"We still favour the solution of the A556 problem via junction 20, rather than a new road."

Knutsford town councillors are unpaid volunteers who meet to discuss matters such as building developments, tourism and the environment.

They have few decision-making powers, but do spend part of residents' council tax and advise borough and county councillors.

In previous years residents have attended the town's annual meeting. Last year seven people asked questions about planning issues, parking and dog bins. However, on Tuesday last week only councillors' voices echoed around the sparsely-populated Cranford suite. "Does anyone wish to say anything at all?" asked Councillor Hamman.

Councillor Barbara Austin piped up, saying the council had predicted problems with parking and road damage during the Royal George development.

"People should be aware that the town council did a good job and all that we said has happened," she said.

The annual meeting has sometimes lasted at least an hour.

But last week Councillor Hamman ended the proceedings after just 20 minutes. "I think that's about it really," he said.