Chamber Meeting - 24th April 2014

Chamber Meeting - 24th April 2014

MINUTES of an OPEN GENERAL MEETING of ST AUSTELL BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE held on THURSDAY 24th APRIL 2014 in the Old Town Hall of St. Austell Market House at 5.45pm.

 

[Meeting started at: 17.46]

 

 

Present: Dave Halton (Chair), Jacky Swain (Vice Chair), Mark Lewis (Junior Vice Chair), Ian Chalmers (Treasurer), Jessica Milln (Secretary), James Staughton (President), Kevin Fusher, Tony Cousins, Steve Apted, Peter Crawford, Margaret Buttfield, Andy Ward, Mark Torr, Tony Goodman, David Avery, Rainer Newton, Hayley Newton, Jane Hicks, Sally Heard, Mike Stanford, Susan Ashby, Peter Moody, Cllr Anne Double

 

Also Present: Carl Lamb, Adam Harris, Julie Abbott, Sonia Bass, Cllr Brian Palmer, Cllr Tom French, Cllr Nicky Oxenham, Cllr Brain Palmer

 

Apologies for Absence: Adrian Mutton, Allan Clare, Chris O'Connell, Chris Witt, Gerry and Maggie Halton, Rose Burn, Sam Weller, Simon Prior, Sue Ford.

 

Apologies sent from invitees: Cllr Jenny Stewart, Cllr Malcom Brown, Cllr Jacqui Bull, Cllr Michael Bunney, Cllr Des Curnow, Cllr Doug Scrafton, Cllr Roy Taylor, Cllr Sandra Heyward, Cllr John Keast, Mayor Steve Double.

 

 2. Minutes of meeting held on  18th February 2014

 

It was NOTED that on item 6 where it refers to “Jessica Milln has offered to carry out a survey via Facebook to research interest and gather information on local traders.  The only problem with this might be validating the identity of contributors” was both inaccurate of what was actually said and it contained a comment that had not been made during the meeting.

It was RESOLVED that this point should be removed completely but the rest of the minutes are to be approved and signed as a correct record.

 

3. Chairman Update

3a. David Halton (DH) (Chairman's update)

 

  • DH offered his thanks for all advice and help from members in helping the new committee adjust to their new roles in their first month in office.
  • St. Austell Bay Radio (SABR) has agreed to the 8.30am breakfast slot on 1st Friday of each month and in return, as a non-profit, community station has asked for free non-voting associated membership of the Chamber.
  • Members were asked if they agreed to accept SABR as an associate member of the Chamber and other groups, for example Bid levy payers (as in Newquay Chamber of Commerce have done) or groups such as charities non-profit organisations. [It was noted that Rainer Newton (RN) felt that only paid members should be able to attend Chamber meetings and that non-members / associated members could be free to able to attend Chamber networking events only. James Staughton (JS) asked Tom French (TF) what had been done ‘historically in the Chamber’. TF stated that the Chamber’s purpose had been to look after its members but also to represent the business interests of the whole area because by doing so it encourages other businesses to become members]. A motion was suggested to accept Councillors to all meetings, but non-members / new or potential members would be only be able to attend 2 meetings for free before becoming a full member of the Chamber. Members voted and this was APPROVED.
  • St. Austell Voice has offered a Chamber column once a month to help promote the Chamber and its members. Please could members forward their news to the secretary, Jessica Milln (JM) so that it can be considered for inclusion the column or on the radio.
  • Logos two new ‘member’s logos’ that members may use were shown and it was agreed to APPROVE the use of these on stationary and digital a format will be made available. Mike Stanford (MS) offered to look into the cost to produce Window Stickers for members.
  • Recruitment Drive It was agreed that the Chamber should pay to produce A6 size (postcard format) leaflets that will highlight the benefits of joining the Chamber and how to join. Cost approximately £60 for a 1,000 plus design costs.

Members were asked if they could encourage their business colleagues to consider joining and that they can visit the Chamber website to do so and simply click ‘Become a Member.’

  • Chamber Change of Address DH proposed moving the Chamber address to that of his new business premises in Duke Street where the Chamber sign could be put outside on the wall. Members voted and this was APPROVED.
  • Membership The Chamber currently has 61 members. In the last month 2 new businesses have joined, plus 2 businesses that were previously members have rejoined. Welcome to: Steve Apted (Cornwall Educational Psychology Ltd), Mike & Debbie Howard (Howard Properties), Tim Atkins (Stephens Scown LLP) and Lizzie Williams (Coodes Solicitors).
  • Website Activity Unique visitors to the website is predicted to be approximately. 1,350 for April with 3,190 page views. This represents an in increase of around 25%. More visitors shows that more people are using the Chamber website and Chamber members were urged to make sure their business information is current on the site, and also to update the secretary with their news and events that they wish to be added to the site. Thanks given to RH, MS and JM for helping to add events and news articles to the website. MS has also offered to help members with any issues they might have on the website, or how to maximise their options on the site, please email MS.mike.stanford@live.co.uk
  • Eligibility for Membership (1) It was proposed the need to ‘vet’ members before their application to become a member was revoked and that anyone would be allowed to join. However, if members were to behave in a way that was unconstitutional or was damaging to the Chamber and the members, then the committee would consult with all the members and ask for a vote on whether their membership should be revoked. Ina Chalmers (IC) suggested that the articles would have to be changed to state that. Members voted and this was APPROVED.
  • Eligibility for Membership (2) The Chamber’s articles of association / Memorandum of association do not literally state that only business owners, or who are working can join the Chamber. The Chairman asked member to consider the possible criteria for becoming a member.

a) ‘As long as an individual has a common interest in the business community and a desire to contribute’ they would be eligible to become members; e.g. retired people with a wealth of business experience, young entrepreneurs who are considering starting a business, unemployed business professionals, or businesses not currently trading.

b) Or, if the Chamber did not accept people not currently employed in business as full-members, could they be accepted as non-voting associated members?

[It was noted that RH and Hayley Newton (HN) were opposed to the idea of people not currently employed in business being members. HN was concerned that people actually in business could become the minority in the Chamber. TF said that retired people should be able to become associated members but not be allowed to vote. Mark Lewis (ML) stated that the point of the Chamber was to be able to offer business support for members, and that by bringing in people who had a lot of experience and would be able to contribute to the chamber would offer support and help for members. JS proposed that the committee research first what other chambers’ policies were on membership criteria and then to bring the subject back for discussion at the next meeting. This was ACCEPTED as an ACTION POINT.

  • Congratulations were given to Vice Chair, Jacky Swain (JSw) who had just received news that she has been invited to become a director of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce. We hope she will accept, as it will give great representation of our Chamber on our overseeing body.

 3b. Ian Chalmers (Treasurer)

  • Chamber finances are looking sound with cash balances at the bank of £5,833.
  • £3,500 is ‘Project’ monies with £3,300 as ‘General’ funds.
  • Since start of Chambers financial year, starting in October 2013, income from subscriptions is just over £2,000 with outgoings of £1,240 so we have a surplus for this year. Most subscriptions for the year are in so any additional income from new subscriptions will be a welcome bonus.
  • Expenses are now more modest, as insurance is reduced. A renewal notice of insurance in February asked for a renewal of £490. This was queried because the insurance notice referred to an old chamber address. The cover was historic because it was for computer equipment and buildings, which the Chamber no longer has so that needs to be sorted, out and should be very much reduced.
  • Project monies are for specific purposes and so are kept in a separate bank account and were earmarked for specific projects, this now represents the amount unspent from these projects. At some stage the Chamber will have to make decisions on what those funds can be used for. At the moment they are separated from the Chamber’s normal running monies. However, these project monies have decreased in the last month.
  • We have been required to return donations to Mike Coles of Colvase Estates. The amount paid back is £2,509. This money was given to the Chamber for two purposes. One being the Stop Coyte Farm campaign and the other was a donation for the Christmas lights, which hadn’t been spent. Thanks to TF who assisted IC in helping working out the exact amount of money to be refunded. This issue is now resolved and refunded.
  • £2559 pounds are left remaining for Projects.
  • Steve Hurst had agreed to a phone contract for the Chamber with a contract of £27 per month, the cost to finalise the phone contact is £155. It was AGREED to finalise and pay off the contract.

 

3c. Carl Lamb (St Austell Bid Manager) 

  • Just in post for 4 weeks.
  • Trying to get round to meet as many business managers and directors in the town, if Carl has a plan to have met all Bid levy payers over the next few weeks.
  • Carl will be working to the themes set out by the Bid.

Theme A. To make the town more ‘Attractive, accessible and safe’

  • Empty shops – Aware that old coverings are peeling off and still advertising Christmas. Plan now to dress the outside as much cheaper and solves problem of access to empty shops, and much easier to replace. Bid will hopefully agree to new artwork (not the old map).
  • Pop Up Shops – currently talking to people, including the Youth Council to take a couple, dress them up and turn them into exhibition spaces.
  • Existing Shops – on first come first come basis, £200 to each shop in bid area that wants it for paint to redecorate and tidy up. Shops will need to take a photograph before and after to demonstrate what has been done.
  • Planting Scheme - Plants go out on 17th May. Will be using hanging watering cans rather than hanging baskets. These have been purchased and will hang on all handing basket holders.
  • Anti-Social Behaviour – Now will be able to take over the CCTV role ourselves in St. Austell police station when previously it had been monitored in Newquay.
  • Shop Watch Scheme – Haven’t got one in the town but will have. Plan to make this happen is ongoing.

Theme B. To look at ‘Events, marketing and cost savings’

  • Events - Easter events were a rush and could have been spread around town but had only 2½ weeks to organise. Next event: ‘Festival of Movement’ – 5th May (Bank Holiday). Comedy Fest on Sat. 24th May – daytime event in pubs and cafes.
  • Christmas Lights – tied to the same lights contract for 3 yrs but plans to build and ensure the lights a spread around the town and not just concentrated in Aylmer Square. There is money available for this.
  • Loyalty card scheme for the town is growing, however the recent increase in applications for loyalty cards is a lot to do with a backlog. Carl will make sure that every shop has a loyalty card sticker for the window if they are part of the loyalty card scheme.
  • Ongoing - Coach parking – have got contacts with the council. Funding for signage around the town plan to see this happen over the next few years. Looking into getting Free WiFi across town. Bids looking at training and business coaching. There is funding out there and it is possible to get some business coaching for Bid members and focus and training groups together. Looking also at group purchasing as Falmouth Bids have done.

 

[JM requested that Bids pass over to Chamber secretary all details of Bids events so that they can be added to the Chamber website and facebook page.]

 

4. Training - Mark Lewis (ML) (Junior Vice Chair)

 

The Chamber intends to offer support for Chamber members for areas such as HR support, Tax Advice, Legal Advice regarding leases etc.

 

Training: As ‘free support’, ML has spoken to a provider recently joined the Chamber and also the College. We are working at putting in place Health & Safety and Food Hygiene certificates training free of charge.

 

HR helpline: Going to put in place a helpline where you get straight through to a solicitor who can talk about an individual issue you may raise. An initial consultation, arranged through the Chamber, will be free of charge and may be able to sort out the issue, however if it escalated that solicitor can sit down with you and talk about charges.

 

Apprentices: If looking to expand your business, will be looking at a variety of providers to help you put apprentices in place. If thinking about this now, call ML, but in near future this will be on the Chamber website.

 

Business Mentors: Help and support for self-employed people, especially those starting out. Chamber would like to put in place a set of business mentors for the Chamber. We need to know who would like to have, and could benefit from having, a business mentor and who can volunteer to give an hour or two, every couple of weeks, to be a business mentor to help a new business. Please contact ML if you need a business mentor or can be a business mentor.

 

[DH suggested that the Chamber should become the place that any new business could come for help and advice. ML will put the outline of these proposals for the Chamber as a Business Advice and mentoring service in writing for the Chamber. Any company that gets involved in business mentoring, either in mentoring or being mentored, must be a member.

Cornwall College offered that they would be able to send someone to visit a Chamber member to give an overview of the training opportunities available that may help your business.]

 

5. Junior Chamber - Dave Halton (DW)

 

Very new and evolving idea. Currently talking to Penrice School who are showing a great deal of interest. This is a developing subject. The plan is to talk to Penrice, Poltair, Fowey and Brannel Schools.

 

[JSw suggested College and School very different and so would need to evolve two separate Chambers. Therefore need to start with Junior Chamber in Schools first before approaching the College. Anne Double (AD) explained that the Junior Town Council also very new and only involved St. Austell Schools and the College. JSw requested details on the Junior Chamber]

 

6. Breakfast Meetings - Jacky Swain (JSw) (Vice Chair)

 

Had one very successful Breakfast Meeting in January at Wheal Martyn with speakers from Pirate FM and a Motivational PR/ Media person. Around 25 people attend.

 

The intention to use Wheal Martyn as the Chamber’s breakfast club venue was to bring it into St. Austell and make this a bi-monthly event with good quality speakers. Tony Goodman (TG) has suggested the Britannia Inn as another possible venue where for the first 6 months the Chamber can use a new function room, with breakfast and unlimited tea and coffee for £5 per head and can cater for around 60 people.

 

Wheal Martyn charged £7, however the Chamber charged £10 and was therefore making a small profit on the event. The breakfast meetings would start at 8am.

 

JSw asked members to have an opinion on what they would like. Members asked to please email secretary with your thoughts and suggestions. The intention was to make them bi-monthly with good quality, high-calibre speakers, however if members thought they were useful they could be monthly meetings.

 

7. Beyond Retail Report - Jessica Milln (JM) (Secretary)

 

 

The Distressed Town centre Task Force put the Beyond Retail Report together and St. Austell is mentioned as a case study. The report, with its recommendations on the future of retail and town centres, was produced in November 2013, however not aware that anyone in the town has picked it up and made any official comment or response to it in terms of finding out if, how and what recommendations in the report can be followed up.

 

The report states:

  • Strong leadership is a pre-requisite for repositioning, redevelopment and long-term master planning to meet the demands of modern communities.
  • Town centre challenges are serious and solutions are overdue.
  • There must be a clear vision for rejuvenated town centres, which are fit for the future.
  • Recommendations for changes cannot be carried out without significant support from key decision makers in the commercial and public sectors.
  • All stakeholders have a role to play: individuals, local councils, local and national businesses and government.

 

On St. Austell, the report says:

  • The town is suffering from a range of competition and unique series of circumstances – geographical and historical
  • The centre is small and hilly and no longer serves its original purpose and is accessed by a number of small narrow roads.
  • Small, pedestrianised town centre is dominated by White River Place.
  • The centre is suffering from a lack of demand and spend and road and rail links make access easy to larger and better retail in Plymouth and Truro.
  • White River Place has not really added anything to the town centre except for the cinema.
  • Ellandi, the centre manager and the new BID manager are working to create a focus and strategy for St. Austell.
  • St Austell needs to act fast to find a new level of differentiation for the town as it cannot complete on a retail level with out of town locations or competing towns
  • It can change to provide a unique focus that cannot be found elsewhere in order to attract residents and visitors back into town centre, potentially focussing on the leisure and food and beverage offer.

 

JM proposed that the Chamber could lead on forming a working group made up of Chamber members, councillors and in conjunction with Bids to look at the recommendations in the report and to what extent the Chamber could lead on implementation and assessment of the recommendations the report makes.

 

As a Chamber we can specifically look at the impact of the following factors on town centre business, and make recommendations as a Chamber as a result:

  • The use of the Internet,
  • Car parking and charges,
  • Accessibility for all, (including public transport)
  • Government planning policies, and
  • The economic climate

 

Please email secretary if you would like to be part of this working group.

 

[DH proposed the document should be made available for members to access via the Chamber website and that a working group should come back at the next meeting with a power point presentation for the members. JS asked if BIDs were already working on this and said that John Kneller he thought had read it. TF recommended getting in touch with Guy Thomas from the Council. Andy Ward (AW) suggested that there was a subsequent report that has been written since and should also be looked at. JM said that a number of reports should be consulted together. There will always be differences of opinion, not every recommendation will necessarily work and each must be examined critically on its merits.]

 

8. Town Framework Consultaltion Document [postponed until end of agenda]

 

9. New Mangement Members 

Kevin Fusher (KLF) – Traded in St. Austell as a hairdresser for 10 years and previously in Asda. Only now as a small business but history in much bigger organisations, part of a national company selling hairdressing products so background much broader than might appear now. Background is in issues such as footfall and percentage turnover figures. Believes that St. Austell has a lot more to offer, and could have a great future if the town reinvents itself with a very different and unique offering to rival towns. Interested in how businesses can work together as co-operatives and so brings both ‘blue-sky thinking and a small business perspective.

[Proposed JM, seconded DH, Vote: all in favour]

 

Mark Torr (Tengo Café) – Took over Tengo just over 12mths ago. Passionate about town and the extremities from the high street. Believe St. Austell has lost its identity, for example we are describes as a Market town but haven’t got a market. Seen footfall declining in town in last 12mths. Like to be a sounding board for the Chamber, interested in Beyond Retail Report and would like to be consulted about what’s going on. [Proposed MS, seconded TG, Vote: all in favour]

 

Please email secretary if you would like to join the management committee.

 

10. Chamber Website Changes 

  • Have your Say – This area of the website was temporarily removed in order to re-launch it. It was open for anyone (including members of the public) to add comments and could be used in a way that would be detrimental to the positive efforts that the chamber is currently trying to make. The committee felt that not really being used in a way that was constructive neither was its purpose clear to members. [RN objected to this being removed.] JSw commented that timing was critical and the Chamber needed to be sensitive to misinformation and town politics that was unhelpful to the Chamber committee’s need to get our heads down and concentrate on bringing the Chamber back in its remit as business support. JMproposed it should be re-launched with monthly topical discussions to be debated, e.g. car parking charges. Mark Torr (MT) commented that a Chamber with disparaging remarks on its site would not encourage new membership; it would be off-putting and deemed to be unprofessional. MS suggested that the Have Your Say is reinstated as a ‘members only’ page.

TG proposed that there could be a topic; a discussion on it and then a vote and this would be away from the main page. Members would have to log in to access it but they could ‘rant about stuff’ in the members only area. DH said it would take some development of the website to do that. Members were asked if they agreed that the Have Your Say would be relaunched in the member’s only area and not on the public site. Members voted and this was APPROVED.

  • Member Messaging – [HN objected to Member messaging being removed without consulting members]. JM commented that several other members complained and objected at being emailed this way and one had asked to be taken off the mailing list entirely if this would continue. JM also said she was not aware that when member messaging had been removed that is was not possible to email other committee members. DH said the member messaging will allow members to email the committee members.

 

11. Any Other Business 

  • DH confirmed that Mercian had been contact and a meeting had been set up to meet the Chamber Chairman on 6th May at James Staugton’s Office.
  • Sonia Bass, hub manager for Barclay’s bank in St. Austell, informed Chamber members that any business could make use of the banking hall space from 9.30am to 1.30pm. All they need to ensure is that they have public liability insurance in place, (we will provide a table). All bookings should be made via sonia.bass@barclays.com
  • ML said that the Parking charges with 30 minutes free were a disaster for the town as it only encouraged shoppers to spend less time. Can the Chamber lobby the council on this issue with the aim to get something more sensible parking charges in place.
  • David Avery asked since the Chamber was part of the Together St. Austell plan, what representation does the Chamber have on TSA now? DH confirmed that there is currently no connection and that the new committee had not been invited.

 

[ML left meeting at this point]

 

8. Town Framework Consultation Document

Members were made aware that there would be a special meeting to discuss the Chamber’s response to the Town Framework document within the next week. Date and place to be arranged, and members invited if they wanted to be a speaker at the meeting.

Post General Meeting, date arranged for Special Meeting - 1st May, Tengo Café 5.45pm.]

 

12. Dates of forthcoming events and meetings (More details of dates, news and events can be found on Chamber website)

 

JM asked that members updated the secretary with news and dates that they wanted promoting. Otherwise currently relying on news via Business Cornwall magazine.

 

Members were made aware of the 3 Town framework exhibitions on 25th, 26th and 28th April and of a Town Council Special Meeting on 6th May.

 

Cornwall Business Fair - 14th May - The Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre, Treliske (organised by Cornwall Chamber) Book seminars for event http://www.cornwallbusinessfair.co.uk/book-seminars/

 

 

[Meeting ended at: 19.25]

 

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