Minutes November 2011

KIRKBY STEPHEN TOWN FORUM
Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 14 November 2011

Present: Mike Walker, Ann Sandell, Shiela Haughey, Mike Thompson, Sue Thompson, Raynor Shaw, David Rayner, Becky Day

1. Appointment of Chairman:
Shiela Haughey agreed to take the Chair for this meeting.

2. Apologies for absence: 
Debbie Hylton, Peter Foskett, Libby Bateman, Glenys Lumley Joan Johnstone, Jacqui Scarr
    
3. Minutes of the meeting on 12 September 2011: 
A correction had been made related to the report on the Shop Discount scheme. The minutes circulated with the agenda were corrected. These were accepted as a true record.

4. Matters arising (not otherwise included in the agenda):
a. The Bluetooth unit is set up and active. Mike Walker has assessed the usage and met with EDC. They are satisfied with the data that in the previous months 21000 phones were discovered and 717 downloads occurred.
b. Ann Sandell asked that the evaluation of disabled facilities be added to the agenda of the next meeting.   Action: Mike Walker
c. British Food Fortnight had occurred and was a minor success.
d. Volunteer week happened with a display of activities. No feedback has been received.

5. Treasurer’s Report:  Joan Johnstone had provided the following information about payments:

Expenditure on Christmas Lights 2011  £2175
Balance in fund:     £322.75

Signs design costs     £197.20
Balance in Business Fund:    £302.80

Insurance payment (Action for Market Towns) £194.00

6. Shop Advertising signs:
EDC has refused the planning application for these signs, but further discussion suggested that a re-application might be treated favourably. The position on this is unknown.

7. Christmas Lights:
Shiela Haughey and Mike Walker reported on the position regarding the 2011 Christmas lights. Sufficient harness has been procured to extend the lights to the south of Market Street. Lights will again be installed on the Church Tower, and the possibility will be investigated for further lights in the Masonic Hall gardens. It was noted that work has been carried out in Market Square on the bollards and this needs to be checked before connection.    Action: Mike Walker

The team will be erecting the lights and the tree on 20 and 27 November. It was suggested that the lights should be illuminated from 1600–0100 and 0600-0900.

Adam Hoyle has agreed to provide a skip for disposal of Christmas trees and this will be located at the front of Silver Street gardens on the weekend of 6-9 January 2012. Publicity will be needed to the community.

8. Christmas events:

Switch-on: This will be held at 1830 on Friday 2 December, preceded by singing by the choir and music from the Silver Band. The Marston family have agreed to perform the switch-on and Mike Walker will provide a Public Address system. A Risk Assessment has been developed and will be circulated. Marshalls will be needed to keep traffic and pedestrians apart.. Ann Sandell agreed to encourage volunteers. Action: Ann Sandell

Circus Skills will be asked to perform after the switch-on, and before the pantomime (Dick Whittington) at the King’s Arms.

Buckets will be provided to collect funding for additional Christmas Lights.
      Action:  Mike Walker

Santa at Croft House: This will be held from 1400 till 1800 at a cost of £1 for children. A Risk Assessment has been carried out.

Support for Santa event at KSE: This will be held from 1030 till 1630 on Saturday 3 December. Craft Stalls would be welcome on the platform.

Business Christmas Trees: Trees have again been offered to businesses at £23 each. Some chasing up is still needed.

Window Competition: 13 businesses have signed up for the competition and some chasing up is needed. Certificates are printed, and prizes will need to be acquired.     Action: Joan Johnstone

Sue Bradley and Liz Meadows of the Kirkby Stephen in Bloom team have agreed to judge the windows on 1 December.

9. Street Bunting:
Shiela Haughey has established that significant discounts are available for the lengths of bunting we would need for the Queen’s diamond jubilee. PVC and nylon bunting is available and samples will be obtained for the next meeting. The Lights team have agreed that they will put up and take down bunting. Further details will be discussed at the January meeting.

10. Plastic Bag Free Campaign:
The UECP has asked the Forum to consider a plastic bag free campaign. Various views were expressed at the meeting, and the Forum agreed that the issue was wider than bags, and that any campaign should address all litter from take-away containers, excess food packaging, to incorrect disposal of dog faeces. Shop keepers were not convinced that the current economic climate was conducive to a bag campaign, but would support a wider target. The secretary was asked to refer this back to the Upper Eden Community Plan group.    Action: Mike Walker

11. Queen’s Diamond Jubilee:
It is understood that Wendy Wearmouth is planning a major event for the Jubilee in 2012, and it was agreed that we should not try to compete but offer the support of the Forum. The secretary was asked to invite Wendy to the next Forum meeting to discuss how we can help.     Action: Mike Walker

It was agreed that we should check whether the Appleby Horse Fair dates caused problems with any Jubilee celebrations.  Action: Mike Walker

The Stainmore Railway suggested that they might organise a 1950s event during the Jubilee period.

12. TIC Progress:
EDC have agreed that they will close the TIC at the end of March 2012. A group including UECP, the Town Council and Forum have submitted a business plan to take over the facility. This will be discussed by the EDC executive in December.

13. Entrance to Town from Car Park:
A view had been expressed that the route from the Car Park into Market Square is unattractive and could do with some improvement. As much of this is private property there is a limited amount that the Forum can do. Businesses may benefit if walkers were also encouraged to use Silver Street as a route into Town. It was agreed to take this matter up with the Town Council.  Action: Mike Walker

14. Insurance issues – Notification of Events:
There are currently no firm plans for any events requiring notification to the insurance company.

15. Any Other Business:
a. Christina Collis has enquired whether Appleby Heritage Centre could have access to any database of businesses held by the Forum to circulate information about courses. The Forum does not have data in this form and because of data protection legislation could not allow use if it existed. It was agreed that the secretary could forward information to the Town Forum circulation list.     Action: Mike Walker
b. The Olympic Torch will be passing through Brough on 20 June 2012. The meeting felt that we should leave the organisation of any support to Brough, and help if requested.

16. Date of next meeting:
The next meeting will be held on Monday 9 January 2012 at 1900 in the room above the TIC.