|
Bewdley Chamber of Trade promotes the commercial sector of Bewdley town by involving businesses in opportunities and issues for the greater good of Bewdley and its residents
MINUTES OF THE MEETING, BEWDLEY CHAMBER OF TRADE MONDAY, 8th OCTOBER 2007 BLUE ROOM, THE INSTITUTE, LOAD STREET.
1. Present: Graham Corner (Vice Chairman), Barb Stallwood (Secretary), Ann Lyman, Councillor Derek Killingworth, Don Roles, Roger Coleman, Cat Banks, Jo Latimer, Ian Latimer, Keith Tonks, Maggie Dalloway, Sergeant Chris Aimes.
2. Apologies: Bob Bromley (Chairman),Pam Wilson, Ian Latimer, Tony Bending,
3. Matters arising from the last meeting: Re: - KRISP. It was noted that the down side to joining this scheme were the annual costs of £250, this being divided by the members wanting to join, proved costly. With Kidderminster being a bigger town costs are low due to the amount of members, they play a big part in the admin and share information on active criminals, where as Bewdleys shoplifting crimes are very low in comparison . The cheaper option would be to set up a scheme like Stouports Shopwatch scheme which is run independently and the police provide local information on shoplifters etc. The LVA in Stourport have a separate scheme to Shopwatch but are involved, Bromsgrove have the same system and both areas work. There was a meeting between our local LVA and the police but unfortunately nobody followed it up, things maybe different now that Adrian Hewitt is the new licensing officer.
4. Reports: Police – a. Things had quietened down now that the holiday season was over, though there are still reports of Anti Social Behaviour of boy racers from Kidderminster, Stourport, Bewdley and the Black country congregating on Dog Lane car park. There have been section 59 orders placed on some of the offenders and bikes will be confiscated if they are caught again. A member described how her husband was accosted by youths on scooters on the Queensway estate, nothing could be done as police say they have to witness the incident. b. There were a spate of burglaries committed in the Rock area, a person has now been arrested. c. CCTV on Severnside North, next to river bridge area is still causing problems due to the need to place the camera onto a lamp post, which will have to be relocated to meet aesthetic objections. d. The licence of The Bailiffs public house was significantly restricted at a Licensing hearing at Stourport Civic Centre on 10th October, following complaints by residents of noise and disorder. The licensee has appealed. The date of the appeal at Magistrates Court has yet to be fixed. e. PACT meeting will be held at Bewdley school hall on 30th October, 8.00p.m.
5. Police Liaison – Not present.
6. Town Council –
a. The new rates of car parking and the strictness of the new traffic wardens feared this was putting people off coming to Bewdley. b. A letter was sent to council referring to the lack of policing in the town and the amount of alcohol being consumed on the streets from as early as 7.30a.m. Their concerns were also of when there would be drugs showing up in the pubs and streets of Bewdley. c. The Mayors flood appeal raised £6,166 of which 48 flood victim applicants each received £128.46 also a grant has been received from the British Red Cross National floods appeal for £10,440 d. A member of the Bewdley Twinning voiced the Associations concerns as to the Mayor appealing to the Twin towns for donations for the flood appeal. They believed that this was not the right thing to do as Bewdley Town council were not in a position to reciprocate if a major disaster happened to one of the twin towns. It was pointed out that this was an initiative of the Mayor and Town Council played no part in the Appeal. e. After receiving 132 responses concerning the footbridge of which 64.4% were in favour, it was agreed that the working party would meet to consider how to progress the matter. f. The decision of having to take down the flood lights at Bewdley Town Football club after every game was causing a problem; a compromise with WFDC was being sought. Chamber Maids- a. The Arts and Crafts weekend was very successful. b. The Pumpkin festival to start on 27th October and more and more businesses are getting involved. The Sunday 28th sees the French market and Local farmers market. c. Marshals are still required for the Christmas lights festival on the 1st December, it was decided that we would be having collect boxes on the day to raise money for next years event.
7. Treasurers Report- Chamber of Trade As at 1st October 2007 £ £ £ £ Balance b/f 1880.60 Balance per statement 2094.41 Receipts-Chamber Maids - Unpresented payments (Re insurance) 168.81 56.27 Subs 40.00 5.00 Insurance 56.27 61.27 2033.14
Balance C/F 2033.14 2089.41 2089.41
Balance made up:- West Mercia Police 1000.00 Cheques re Radio Watch 600.00 Chamber of Trade 433.14 2033.14
Chamber Maids Balance b/f 1867.81 Balance per statement 1995.10 Receipts 436.10 Unpresented receipts 90.00 2085.10
Payments 403.81 Unpresented payments 26.00 26.00 35.00 26.00 72.00 185.00 1900.10 Balance C/F 1900.10 2303.91 2303.81
Radio Watch- A decision has been reached that Radio Watch will go ahead at an overall cost of £1650. 14-18 members have shown an interest, so will be able to set up during the day but so far no one from the pubs or restaurants are willing to take part, we need late night businesses to be involved to make the scheme more successful. The system will be on the same frequency as Stourport and the police will have units which are switchable between the two, CSO’s in Bewdley are likely to carry the radios. The cabinet will be wall mounted in Spar and there are plans to levy a charge to self fund the base station and ariel after the two year warranty has expired.
8. Any Other Business
Cat’s promotion of Chamber at the Mug House was a very good night, the people who attended liked the idea of a social meeting as they were good fun but were unable to attend Chamber meetings due to work commitments. Many Thanks to Drew for supplying the wonderful food and allowing us to use his fantastic refurbed garden area. The next Cat event will be to Wyre Valley brewery. Watch the website for updates! Hic
There will be closures of the parking bays near to the entrance of Load Street car park due to works by Eon electrics.
Chamber and Council are having meetings with Balfour Beatty regarding the works to be carried out after Christmas by Severn Trent. It’s envisaged to take about 20 weeks to do works around the town, causing road closures and traffic problems. Good signage is a priority to keep our town open.
And finally a lovely email was received from PC Adrian Hewitt to pass on his goodbyes and say thanks to Chamber members, quote ‘not only for the warmth of their welcome but more importantly, for all the hard work that is undertaken for the benefit of the town. May I wish you every success in the future.’ We don’t get rid of him that easily as he will be joining us at our CHRISTMAS FEAST at the MUG HOUSE, MONDAY 10th DECEMBER 7.00
The meeting closed at 7.45
THE DATE FOR THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON MONDAY 14th JANUARY 2008 AT 6.15p.m THE BLUE ROOM, THE INSTITUTE, LOAD STREET
|
