MINUTES of an OPEN GENERAL MEETING of ST AUSTELL BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE held on WEDNESDAY 28th of January 2015 at The Britannia Inn, St. Austell, at 5.45pm. Present: Dave Halton Mark Lewis, Jacky Swain, Ian Chalmer, Dave Avery, Tony Goodman, Andy Ward, Cllr Oxenham, Cllr Anne Double, Lee Russell, Abid Hussain, Mike Stanford, Clive Acraman, Mark Hollis, Chris O'connell & Kevin Parks.
- Clive Acraman: CIC in social enterprise, supporting people who use health and social care services Lee Russell: Coast to Coast Communications – Telephone and data network engineer
- Minutes of last meeting were approved
- Chamber President. Mike Stamford explained the role is to take the chair in an AGM between outgoing and incoming chair. Most Chambers have a president, usually the Mayor, but it isn't essential. Possible candidates were discussed, including the Mayor. DH felt that Mayor may have a conflict of interest although there was general support for the idea. DH said that we either remove the role of President or keep deferring a decision until we find a candidate. Andy Ward said the President was usually a statesman like figure, usually retired. It was concluded to raise the issue at the AGM, proposed by Tony Goodman and seconded by Dave Avery.
- Parking - Mike Stanford. The new proposed parking regulations have been published and I was delighted to report that St. Austell is the only major town in Cornwall where the cost of parking for one hour has not increased. The cost of 3 hour parking will be falling from £3.90 to £3.20, the only town to have a decrease, but the 2 hour charge will be rising from £1.50 to £1.60. The cost of parking in Polkyth for 3 hours will be dropping from £4.30 to £3.20. It was agreed that, even though St. Austell has fared very well against other towns, Mike Stanford would put in a complaint to the Council about the rise in the 2 hour charge. The cost of a permit for the North Street car park is set to rise from £380 to £558 and will only be used by permit holders for all 7 days, instead of the current 5. Mike Stanford has already put in a complaint to the Council about this, stating the unfairness of the rise on the permit holders, as well as the effect on the traders at that end of town at the weekends.
- 6. BID report. 2 BID meetings since last Chamber meeting. ML reported that BID have stated that footfall in St Austell late night shopping was 17% up on last year. BID have changed their format so that most functions are managed by sub-committees. Managers report was that switch on night was good but the late night shopping was disappointing. ML is on 2 sub committees. BID surgery was attended by 2 levy payers. One non-payer asked to attend and was refused. Planting committee have asked for more money, brought forward from next year. New baskets need new brackets. Cllr AD pointed out the TC had refused to add to BID's budget. TC have used a local contractor to do their work. This is because of the need to reduce costs. It has been accepted by BID that last years planting and Christmas could have been better. Christmas meeting wasn't smooth because some people think late night shopping went as well as can be expected. Things are changing. Easter event and possibly firework night in planning. BID when criticised have stated that nobody helps. The Chamber felt that no one is welcome. Cllr Oxenham said that there was no publicity leading up to the event. She had written to BID and received no reply. Debate over Christmas lights followed. Lack of events and music over Christmas were discussed. The question of why the TC is represented by an officer rather than a member was discussed. BID are engaging a PR company. AW said that in his opinion the BID board had not come out to speak to their levy payers. Cllr Oxenham said BID emailed the TC to ask to be removed from TC's mailing list and that BID don't engage. Her overriding concern is that the town is fractured and as long as we continue in this vein, investors will not trade with the town.
- BID report. 2 BID meetings since last Chamber meeting. ML reported that BID have stated that footfall in St Austell late night shopping was 17% up on last year. BID have changed their format so that most functions are managed by sub-committees. Managers report was that switch on night was good but the late night shopping was disappointing. ML is on 2 sub committees. BID surgery was attended by 2 levy payers. One non-payer asked to attend and was refused. Planting committee have asked for more money, brought forward from next year. New baskets need new brackets. Cllr AD pointed out the TC had refused to add to BID's budget. TC have used a local contractor to do their work. This is because of the need to reduce costs. It has been accepted by BID that last years planting and Christmas could have been better. Christmas meeting wasn't smooth because some people think late night shopping went as well as can be expected. Things are changing. Easter event and possibly firework night in planning. BID when criticised have stated that nobody helps. The Chamber felt that no one is welcome. Cllr Oxenham said that there was no publicity leading up to the event. She had written to BID and received no reply. Debate over Christmas lights followed. Lack of events and music over Christmas were discussed. The question of why the TC is represented by an officer rather than a member was discussed. BID are engaging a PR company. AW said that in his opinion the BID board had not come out to speak to their levy payers. Cllr Oxenham said BID emailed the TC to ask to be removed from TC's mailing list and that BID don't engage. Her overriding concern is that the town is fractured and as long as we continue in this vein, investors will not trade with the town.
- Parliamentary Hustings. Pete Moody has offered a 120 seat conference room. Steves Gilbert and Double have said they will come. All other candidates have been invited but not yet replied. Charging was discussed. Cost was decided to write off as a PR event. Other venues were discussed. Kim Conchie will be chair.
- Radio St Austell Bay. Is there any better way to promote the Chamber. Deferred to next meeting owing to time.
- AGM 25/3. Names required for officer positions.
- Trewhiddle Farm. Presentation by Kingsley developers. Mark, David, Abe Simpson and John Marshall outlined their application and took questions. They then left and the members present voted unanimously to support the application.
- AOB. No other business was raised.
Date of next meeting. 25th February.
