Minutes March 2008KIRKBY STEPHEN TOWN FORUM Minutes Of the Meeting held on Monday 10 March 2008Present: Charles Hurst, Joan Johnstone, Mike Walker, Ann Sandell, Derek Thompson, Jacqui Semple, Mark Earnshaw, Tina Galloway, Andy Sayer, Peter Boardman, Howard Long, Debbie Hylton Tori Dodd -Tourism Conservation Partnership Presentation by the Tori Dodd of the Tourism Conservation PartnershipTori Dodd was introduced to the meeting, and gave an outline of her organisation and described its remit as providing a mechanism for visitors to accommodation and attractions in Cumbria to provide modest sums of money in support of projects to protect the environment upon which much of the tourism trade depends. This can be used as a marketing tool for promotion of a business. Individual projects in excess of £1000pa are supported by the Partnership, and tools are provided for businesses to use. Methods of raising money include a £1 levy on each customer, 1% on turnover, or profits from a specifically related product. Areas supported include the “Fix the Fells” project aimed at walkers, and the “Climate Contribution Fund” supporting a reduced carbon footprint lifestyle. Further details can be found in her presentation at http://www.ourstolookafter.co.uk/pages/pdf/kirkbystephenmarch08.pdf or at the web-site http://www.ourstolookafter.co.uk/If anyone would like to receive the partnership's e-newsletter they can e-mail Tori at mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Following the presentation the meeting proper began: 1. Apologies for absence: Keith Budding, Alex Birtles, Andrea Hines, Tim Stoddard
2. Minutes of the meeting on 14 January 2008: These were accepted as a true record of the meeting. 3 Matters Arising (not otherwise included in the agenda):Mike wrote a response on behalf of the Forum to the 3rd Sector Consultation. No feedback has yet been received. Ann is carrying out a survey to determine support for a local cinema with sign up forms in the Community Office, and the TIC. Further information should be available for the next meeting. Joan has obtained a quote for flags in Charter colours between £30 and £44 depending on numbers required. For 25 sites in town the cost would be £750. It was agreed to look at alternative suppliers and write to businesses regarding support. There are still a number of original flags available, funded by grants for the Walking festival. It was agreed to consider other methods of providing funding, from rental deals to further grant applications. We received a Neighbourhood Forum grant from Cumbria County Council in 2007 for publicity, but it was though to be inappropriate to use this. A further application would be possible later in 2008. Action: Mike & Joan Mike sent out over 100 letters inviting businesses and organisations in town to attend the meeting, or at least to provide contact details for agendas and minutes. By the date of the meeting 12 responses had been received asking to be kept in touch, but it was disappointing that no additional representatives were present at the meeting. Joan reported on the Kirkby Stephen in Bloom community meeting, at which current supporters committed to help in 2008. The organisers were disappointed that few businesses were present to support the activity at this meeting. 4. Treasurer’s Report:Joan summarised the financial position of the Forum, although as the end of year balance is not due until 31 March this was not a formal annual report. The bank account appears healthy, but much of the cash is ring-fenced for specific projects, and only £300 is available for general expenditure. It was agreed to solicit further funding for the day-to-day running of the Forum from wherever may be appropriate. The annual bill for membership of Action for Market Towns has been received. The Town Council paid the discounted bill for part year membership for 2007-8. It is believed that there may be a chance that the Council might also fund the annual membership for 2008-9 but this cannot be decided until their April meeting. Joan and Mike will follow this up. Action: Mike & Joan 5. Election of Officers:As Charles Hurst had tendered his resignation as Chairman, Joan Johnstone proposed Jacqui Semple for the position. This was seconded by Ann Sandell. In the absence of other candidates Jacqui was duly elected Chairman of the Town Forum. Other officers were re-elected as follows: Secretary: Mike Walker Proposed by: Debbie Hylton Seconded by: Charles Hurst Treasurer: Joan Johnstone Proposed by: Mike Walker Seconded by: Derek Thompson Publicity Officer: Ann Sandell Proposed by: Andy Sayer Seconded by: Mark Earnshaw In the absence of other nominations, the above were re-appointed to the various positions. Thanks were expressed to Charles Hurst for his work as Chairman, and to all the committee members for their hard work for the Forum. Mike also asked for Peter Boardman to be included in these thanks as he was initially elected as Publicity Officer, but had to stand down due to the illness of his wife. 6. Annual Report:As retiring Chairman, Charles made a brief report on the year’s activities and this is appended to the minutes. Mike agreed to produce a formal Annual Report as in previous years, ensuring that it was available as soon as possible after the end of the financial year, rather than in the autumn as had been the case in 2007, through oversight. 7. Upper Eden Alliance progress:The Forum was reminded of the proposal for creation of the Upper Eden Alliance as an umbrella body covering the interests initially of the Kirkby Stephen Town Forum and the Appleby Chamber of Trade and Community Association. It is believed that funding is more likely to be available for a wider body, and the Alliance hopes to be able to employ a project officer to work on activities in both the Appleby and Kirkby Stephen areas. The intention is to convert the existing Appleby Alliance into the Upper Eden Alliance as the mechanics of such a change would be easier with the Charities Commission and Companies House than formation of a new body. This change is in progress, and has been approved by both organisations in Appleby. The next step is to appoint trustees to the new Alliance. It has been suggested that some existing Appleby Alliance trustees might stay on to assist the new organisation, and 3 or 4 additional trustees should be appointed from each of the two towns. A number of possible candidates were suggested and would be approached on a personal basis by the secretary to establish whether they would be willing to play a part in the Upper Eden Alliance. Action: Mike 8. Commercial Vehicle Rally – Easter WeekendThe Forum will have a market stall at the Easter Rally promoting Forum activities and aiming to increase membership and circulation of our papers. We will also promote the Kirkby Stephen in Bloom activities in 2008. Display boards have been booked and Ann and Mike will liaise to produce the display together with appropriate sign-up forms for volunteers for both the Forum and KS in Bloom. Action: Ann and Mike Charles and Mike agreed to put up the stall on Saturday morning, and arrange for storage of the display material and stall covering on Saturday evening. Ann and Andy offered to staff the stall on Saturday, and Mike offered Sunday morning with Joan covering Sunday afternoon. 9. Heritage Open Days:Ann Sandell has been progressing the possibility of taking part in the Heritage Open days planned for 11-14 September 2008. She is working in association with the local history society and the Appleby COT&CA to provide a new Lady Anne’s Trail leaflet concentrating on Appleby and Kirkby Stephen. A quote of £75 for 500 leaflets has been obtained. Classic Coaches have been asked to quote for travel along the route and provide a commentary on the Mallerstang valley. Ann has also been investigating the various tunnels rumoured to exist under parts of the town. She gave a brief report on her finding to date, and reported that Geophysics is now needed to confirm or deny some findings. Howard Long agreed to contact someone from Appleby Archaeology to determine if such work could be carried out. Action: Howard 10. Awards for All funding:Mike apologised for not setting up a sub-committee to discuss possible projects for application for “Awards For All” funding. However he had been in touch with a number of Forum members and put together a list of suggestions to work on during the year. This list is appended to the minutes. The funding available is between £300 and £10000, and awards must be used within one year of granting. Some of the ideas listed may fall outside these constraints. Further ideas would be welcomed for the Forum to consider. Please send any further ideas to Mike. Action: All 11. Summer Activity:There was no discussion on a further summer activity 12. Any Other Business:a. Cumbria Tourism and the World of Beatrix Potter are organising a Jemima Puddleduck Easter Egg hunt across Cumbria during the Easter holidays. Ann has persuaded the organisers to include Kirkby Stephen and Sedbergh as locations for eggs to encourage visitors to our area. b) It is understood that the BBC Street Doctors will be in Kirkby Stephen over the Easter weekend and we look forward to some positive publicity for the town. http://www.bbc.co.uk/streetdoctor/index.shtml c) Eden District has asked the Town Council to contribute to reprinting the Kirkby Stephen leaflet. The Forum supports the reprinting, and suggested that a joint leaflet with Appleby might be a way of sharing the costs. d) It was noted that the Action for Market Towns annual conference for 2008 would be held in Skipton on 1st and 2nd October. There was support for representation from the Forum to this meeting. Action: Mike when details available. e) It was reported that Cumbria Tourism might fund refurbishment of hotels and the Forum wondered if there were any opportunities in Kirkby Stephen. Mike will make enquiries at the Tourism Network meeting later this week. Action: Mike f) As part of British Tourism Week, Eden District Council has arranged a Question Time chaired by Eric Robson, on 12 March. Mike has arranged to attend and has submitted a question as follows: “Can the panel suggest how closure of public toilets and TICs might impact on an area where economic development is based on tourism?”Action: Mike to report back on the response 13. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Kirkby Stephen Town Forum was scheduled to be held on Monday 12 May 2008. As our new Chairman is not available on that date it was agreed to defer the meeting by one week, to Monday 19 May at 7 pm in the room above the Tourist Information Centre. Arrangements will be made with the TIC to amend the date. Action: Mike Appendix 1. Chairman’s Report KIRKBY STEPHEN TOWN FORUM ANNUAL REPORT 2007/2008Although the forum has had a fairly quiet year as far as events are concerned, we have been busy trying to secure funding for the future and have been pushing local government to focus on KS and not just Penrith, we believe that by forging links with Appleby we will have a louder voice and we will be able to secure funding that was previously unavailable to us, to this end we have nearly completed the formation of the Upper Eden Alliance, it has been a slow process but one that should yield good results. Attendance this year has been low and so Mike Walker has written to every business and potentially interested party asking if they would like to attend future meetings and if they can’t attend then to let their views be known by e-mail or by letter. Hopefully this will produce some new members. Particular thanks go to Mike Walker and Ann Sandell for their dedication and hard work, and to all those who make the effort to attend meetings. Activities undertaken by KSTF 2007/2008
Joined Action for Market Towns to obtain reasonable insurance cover for activities
Charles Hurst, Chairman Appendix 2Awards for All Funding February 2008Ideas for Kirkby Stephen Town Forum to consider: New Market StallsVideo projector and Screen (Forward & Back Projection)New Christmas LightsSkate ParkLady Anne’s Trail support and publicityHeritage Open Days support and publicityCostumes for Charter MarketHanging BasketsImproved Signage for Town facilitiesProject Officer for Upper Eden AllianceRebuild the Weir at Low MillReprint Kirkby Stephen leafletsMaking the most of our assets - promotion and further enhancementKirkby Stephen leaflets possibly with Appleby New street signs to point out attractions such as Frank's Bridge and the Toilets. Jubilee Park, Stenrith Park, Stainmore Railway, Platform 3, National Viaduct walk.Signs on important buildings such as Sanderman Hall, Old Grammar School to correspond with a town trail leaflet.Church Gates repairPaint for existing worn street furniture and railings anywhere.More seats - always makes visitors stay longer. Map outside TIC needs replacing.Floral displays at bus stops.Large display board for what’s on in townFunding for summer town tour or a summer activity.Welcome planters Nateby Road, South Road where neededMinimise street clutter of inappropriate street signs and too many poles Kirkby Stephen signposting from Tebay and Brough Brown signs for Lady Anne Trail. |
| < Prev |
|---|