Minutes September 2007
KIRKBY STEPHEN TOWN FORUM
Minutes Of the Meeting held on Monday 10 September 2007 - Version 2
Present: Charles Hurst, Joan Johnstone, Mike Walker, Andrea Hines, Ann Sandell, Derek Thompson, Jacqui Semple, Dorothy Thornton, Tina Galloway, Andy Sayer, Peter Boardman, Howard Long, Alex Chalmers
1. Apologies for absence: Tim Stoddard, Debbie Hylton, Elizabeth Hall Alex Birtles, Samantha Sandell, Sue Fell, Glenys Lumley
2. Minutes of the meeting on 2 July 2007: These were accepted as a true record of the meeting.
3 Matters Arising (where not agenda items):
Ann Sandell completed the cleaning rubbish bins for the Cumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom judging. Joan Johnstone informed the meeting of Kirkby Stephen's success in Cumbria in Bloom where we had gained joint first position with Dalston in the large village category. We have already been asked to represent Cumbria in the 2008 Britain in Bloom competition. The 2007 Britain in Bloom results will be announced in Coventry on 26 September.
Mike Walker had contacted Kate Burrows with a view to addressing a future meeting, and advised her of activities planned in town for her waste road show. There has been no response.
A meeting had been held with the Appleby Alliance and a way forward agreed. The revised Memorandum and Articles will be redrafted for agreement by end October. The area of benefit had been considered and agreed as the Upper Eden area based around the Appleby and Kirkby Stephen districts.
4. Treasurer's Report:
A new bank account has been set up with Barclays with Charles, Joan and Mike as signatories. The total funds amount to £1906, of which £399 belongs to Britain in Bloom allocated for a display board in Jubilee Park, £216 for a Plus-Bus leaflet reprint, and £629 earmarked for planters. £660 remains available in the general fund.
It was agreed that the Forum should apply for "Awards for All" funding with a potential for £10000 over 2 years. Alex Chalmers and Joan Johnstone will follow this up
Action: Joan Johnstone & Alex Chalmers
5. TIC Review:
The TIC review has been completed and a report considered by Committee. The review had considered amalgamating the Upper Eden provision, but recognised the differences between Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, and the recommendation was to retain the TIC in Kirkby Stephen subject to a multi-agency facility approach. There is an investigation underway on the feasibility of an amalgamated service of Tourism and local information including the library and Council and Community Centre. There is still a need for cost reduction, and although the Kirkby Stephen TIC is not under immediate threat, pressure remains for improved income and reduced costs.
Mike Walker will circulate the summary of the TIC survey with the minutes.
Action: Mike Walker
A bus company complaint about the market had stimulated discussion, and suggestions had been received from Ann Meston of EDC. The Council had agreed that responsibility for the market should be taken up jointly by the Town Council and the Town Forum. Charles Hurst, Mike Walker, Ann Sandell, Dorothy Thornton, Joan Johnstone, Jeanette Cooper and Sheila Wilkinson were proposed as a Market Committee.
The follow up of the benchmarking survey suggested closer contacts with adjacent tourist areas. Glenys Lumley has been appointed to the board of the Harrogate and North Yorkshire Tourist Board, and she will push for better inclusion of Kirkby Stephen and the Eden Valley in their publicity.
The town enhancement scheme would begin again on 17 September and should be completed in time for the St Luke's Fair.
6. Action for Market Towns:
Ann Sandell had discovered that membership of this organisation was possible at around £100 per year, which gave certain benefits including annual insurance cover for around £160. There were two grades of membership, for towns, and for associated bodies. The Town Council had agreed to fund membership. It was agreed that to ensure proper insurance cover the Town Forum should be the member. Mike would write to Heb Lumley asking the Town Council to fund the membership, and complete the application forms in time for the October event.
Action: Mike Walker
7. Charter Market:
Ann Sandell has a large number of activities planned for the Charter Market to complement the French market arranged for Saturday 27 October. Much of the activity will be based around the Masonic Hall. It was agreed that Cumbria Highways need to be informed about the use of the pavement outside the Masonic Hall, and barriers requested for there and elsewhere in town.
Action: Ann Sandell
Rubbish removal following the French market was discussed. Joan Johnstone agreed to ask Jeanette Cooper if it could be removed in the same manner as the litter pick rubbish.
Action: Joan Johnstone
Help will be needed on the day with the market stalls. Andrew Johnstone will be asked if he would be prepared to use the breakdown truck.
Action: Joan Johnstone
It was agreed that a preliminary inspection of the stalls would be wise, as they have not been used since last year. A date will be agreed to allow them to be erected, checked and possibly painted before end September.
Action: Mike Walker
Publicity was discussed. The French Market will do their own. The Charter Market will need flyers, posters and information boards. Ann Sandell agreed to explore various options with the help of Forum members.
Action: Ann Sandell
It was agreed to write to shops asking them to consider window displays, and the use of Charter Fair flags and the yellow flags, which may still be available.
Action: Ann Sandell
The provision of new flags, perhaps with a floral theme suitable for Britain in Bloom 2008, will be considered.
8. Christmas:
The Christmas event will be held in association with the Stainmore Railway Company on Saturday 1 December. As no funding is available for extra attractions it will be based on home-spun activities. Santa will be located at the Old Station, with stalls at the station and in the market square. Various potential stallholders will be contacted to see if they wish to take part.
Action: Mike Walker
Transport of Santa Claus from the Market square last year was carried out by Aaron Kirkby. It was agreed to ask him if he would do the same this year. Other options were also considered if he could not do it.
Action: Mike Walker
Children and families would need transport to the old station and Cumbria Classic Coaches would be approached.
Action: Mike Walker
The school band would be asked if they would like to take part, and the Blue Jam festival band of Penrith would be approached.
Action: Ann Sandell / Howard Long
Gifts from Santa would be sourced by Derek Thompson in association with Andy Sayer. The guides would be asked to help with wrapping.
Action: Derek Thompson / Andy Sayer
It was agreed that to link with the railway, the theme of the day would be "Polar Express" and this would also be the Window Competition theme.
Mike had received a list of actions needed from Felicity and will progress the business trees, the window competition and the town trees as before.
Action: Mike Walker
Joan Johnstone agreed to liaise with John Popple regarding the installation of lights and trees at each business.
Action: Joan Johnstone
The eco-lights project will not be available for Christmas 2007, and we will continue to use the existing lights.
Action: Andy Sayer
The Forum expressed a preference for white lights, and businesses would be asked to consider these if purchasing new ones. They would also be asked to use the window stars from some years ago if still available.
Action: Mike Walker
A small sub-group was set up to sort out the details, Andy Sayer, Derek Thompson, Ann Sandell, Charles Hurst and Mike Walker.
9. Web Sites:
The Forum minutes were on the official Council web-site. Some reports have been submitted to the Kirkby Stephen Online site http://www.kirkbystephenonline.org.uk/ but have not yet appeared.
10. Projects:
Because of the Charter Fair and Christmas events, the discussion on carrier bags and a shop locally campaign were deferred until next year.
Ann Sandell had encountered a coach party of oriental visitors who were taking a great deal of interest in the town. She had advised the driver that we would be prepared to organise a guided tour and refreshments for similar groups in future, and the secretary had confirmed this with the bus company.
Action: Mike Walker / Ann Sandell as required
11. Any Other Business:
a. Howard Long of the Volunteer Centre explained that he was trying to set up a Time Bank scheme, where skills could be exchanged and donated. He has only recently begun this work and will give an update at a future meeting.
b. The Sport and Physical Activity Alliance of the Local Strategic Partnership is bidding for funding of £160,000 in October. This will need to be matched locally by £2 for every £1 of funding, although funding in kind can make up part of this. It was suggested that the KS Swimming Pool organisation may have an interest in this project and they will be advised to contact Judith Quigley of EDC as soon as possible.
c. Mike expressed a concern that not everyone who may be interested in Forum activities was kept informed of our work. He asked members to check the circulation of the minutes and suggest additional recipients. Charles also encouraged members to try to bring along one extra member each to the next meeting.
Action: All
12. Date of Next Meeting: It was agreed that the next meeting of the Kirkby Stephen Town Forum should be held on Monday 12 November 2007 at 7 pm in the room above the Tourist Information Centre.
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