Minutes September 2011

KIRKBY STEPHEN TOWN FORUM
Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 12 September 2011

Present: Mike Walker, Ann Sandell, Joan Johnstone, Jacqui Scarr, Andrea Hines, Shiela Haughey, Liz Hall, Sara Bisson

1. Appointment of Chairman:
Ann Sandell agreed to take the Chair for this meeting.

2. Apologies for absence: 
Debbie Hylton, Peter Foskett, Tina Galloway, Libby Bateman, Glenys Lumley
    
3. Minutes of the meeting on 18 July 2011: 
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true record.

4. Matters arising (not otherwise included in the agenda):
a. There is still a problem with the locking mechanism on the display case at Christian Head car park.
b. The Bluetooth unit is set up and active. Mike Walker will assess the usage before the next meeting.    Action: Mike Walker
c. The secretary apologised that he had not picked up the events for insurance cover from the minutes while he was away.
d. The August Bank Holiday weekend was a great success. It was agreed that a letter of congratulations should be sent to the Stainmore Railway Company.
       Action: Mike Walker
It was thought that the Cycling Event could have been better promoted by the organisers. The Town Council and Town Forum, were not asked to do any advertising.
Debbie Hylton has provided a report on the Shop Discount scheme. (attached to the minutes). It was agreed to evaluate the scheme by asking businesses if they received discount vouchers.    Action: Mike Walker
The Church Flower Festival was a great success raising around £5000,
The Art & Craft Exhibition sold £2500 of art work and gave 10% to the Mountain Rescue Team, and the Quilting & Sewing exhibition raised £250 for the same cause.
e. Cumbria in Bloom. Joan Johnstone reported that Kirkby Stephen had received a Silver-Gilt award and won the best Large Village category, and were runners up in the Churchyard category.

5. Treasurer’s Report: The main expenditure has been related to Britain in Bloom, and a royalty payment of £100 sent to Meg Peacocke for use of her poetry readings. The design bill for the shop advertising signs is still outstanding.

6. Shop Advertising signs:
Following the planning application for this signage, Highways advised that they object as they wish to reduce the clutter of signage around town centres, and believe that business advertising would set an unacceptable precedent. Although the EDC Conservation Officer expressed no objection during a site visit, the District Council has proposed rejection of the application. The secretary was asked to encourage individual businesses to write to EDC regarding this rejection. The major grounds for any appeal are the reduction of unsafe A-boards which are hazardous to pedestrians.        Action: Mike Walker
Andrea Hines agreed to speak to the Conservation Officer about the position.
        Action: Andrea Hines
It was agreed that the Forum would support an appeal rather than withdrawal of the application, and further possible sites for the advertising boards were considered.

7. Expansion of Services for Young People:
Sarah Bisson advised the Forum of a new project of the Eden Youth Work Partnership. Funding has been obtained from the John Paul Getty Foundation for the project targeted at Youth Employability, expanding links between school leavers (over 15) and local businesses in the area of Business Administration. The aim would be to improve business skills, through social enterprises and small business experience. A Youth Business Support Worker will be employed for 12 hrs/week, and an apprentice will be recruited to work in EYWP for 2 days/week, in two small businesses for 1 day/week each, with one day per week in college.

Sarah enquired how she might link with businesses in Kirkby Stephen. There are obvious links with the Upper Eden Future work on youth employment and the KSGS Business Studies staff. Individual businesses who might be interested in supporting this scheme should contact Sarah Bisson, Youth Work Manager, Eden Youth Work Partnership (Penrith 01768 861441 Kirkby Stephen 017683 72677 Mobile 07809 525797) This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it     Action: Businesses

8. British Food Fortnight 17 September to 2 October 2011:
Eight food based offers will be available, together with four walks based on local establishments. Details are attached to the minutes. This is a National Activity which is being promoted through the Walkers Are Welcome, Walk Eden, and the British Food Fortnight websites.

9. Volunteer Week 19 – 24 September 2011:
Six groups have provided details of volunteering opportunities, and a further four are promised. These will be displayed in a suitable place in Kirkby Stephen. Cumbria CVS will be present at the Local links Centre on the Friday and the den Time Bank on the Wednesday. There will also be a celebration of the Edensyde footpath on Friday 23 September.

The Forum thought the response to the request for information on Volunteering Opportunities was disappointing, and all groups in the voluntary sector should be encouraged to submit a description of their activities during the next week.
       Action: Voluntary Groups

10. Christmas Lights:
Jeanette Cooper has reserved equipment to the value of £2190 for supply for the 2011 lighting season. The Forum agreed that this order should go ahead using the Calor prize monies allocated for this. The secretary was asked to confirm this.
       Action: Mike Walker
It was agreed that donations would be solicited at the switch-on to address the shortfall.

A meeting of the Lights Team would be convened on Monday 17 October at the KSSSC.      Action: Mike Walker

11. Christmas Event:
After discussion it was agreed that the switch-on of the lights would be held on Friday 2 December at 18.30, followed by a performance of “Puss in Boots” by the More Than a Handful players at the King’s Arms.
Following a suggestion from the lighting team, the Forum agreed to invite the Marston family (stars of Lambing Live) to perform the switch-on of the lights.
       Action: Mike Walker

Entertainment before the switch-on would be provided. Ann agreed to ask the Silver band, and Joan would ask the Church Choir.  Action: Ann Sandell / Joan Johnstone

Circus Skills would be invited to perform, and other ideas for entertainment should be sent to the secretary

It was agreed that the Stainmore Railway Company should be asked if they are holding a Santa event. If so the Forum will not include Santa at the switch-on.
       Action: Mike Walker

It was agreed that the theme for the windows competition should be linked to the “Puss in Boots” pantomime.   Action: Mike Walker

12. Street Bunting:
In order to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Shiela Haughey proposed that businesses should be encouraged to decorate their premises with bunting and Union Flags. Costs have been obtained, and fund raising will begin in early 2012. The dates of the holiday will be checked as there are possible clashes with Appleby Horse Fair, and the Yomp.

13. Boon Day(s):
It had been suggested that if Kirkby Stephen was not involved in Cumbria and Britain in Bloom, efforts were needed to keep the town looking good, and that an occasional Boon Day might provide some voluntary effort. It was agreed that such an activity should be held on Saturday 22 October and young people would be invited through EYWP.      Action: Joan Johnstone

14. Queen’s Diamond Jubilee:
This was covered in item12.

15. Action for Market Towns Convention 2012:
AMT have responded to our enquiry about the costs involved in hosting the convention as follows:
“The contribution from the host town needs to be made up of at least a £10,000 cash contribution and other in-kind help such as venue hire.  In these difficult economic times, we realise that it is necessary to cut-back on some of the associated costs and for this reason we are running the Convention over two evening and a full day this year.  That said, it still costs around £40,000 to put the event on and AMT is responsible for making-up the difference through delegate fees and sponsorship.  The contribution from the host town largely pays for towards venues, speakers, the programme, publicity and subsidises catering costs (always locally-sourced).  However, on past experience we have found that the Convention generates over £100,000 spend in the local economy and gives a boost to local activity through sharing good practice with assembled delegates and ‘experts’ as well as greatly raising the towns national profile. From what I know of the Forum’s work in Kirkby Stephen, I think it would be an admirable demonstration of good practice.”

The Forum felt that such a financial contribution would not be available in Kirkby Stephen, as £10,000 represents 20% of the annual Council Tax revenue. There was also some concern that the £100,000 spend was unlikely. It was agreed that the secretary should advise AMT that we will not be making a bid to host the 2012 Convention, as the financial undertaking was far too large for a small community.
       Action: Mike Walker

16. Disabled facilities in Kirkby Stephen:
No progress has been made on the evaluation of disabled facilities.

17. TIC Progress:
At a meeting in August, Councillor Malcolm Smith recommended that Kirkby Stephen should go ahead with their proposed takeover of the TIC subject to a viable business plan. Ann Sandell and Libby Bateman are meeting to confirm Profit / Loss data and a definite decision is due later in September. If the Kirkby Stephen proposal is not accepted closure will occur in March 2012.

18. Insurance issues – Notification of Events:
A History Walk around Kirkby Stephen will be held on 28 October for about 25 people. The Christmas Switch-on also needs to be advised to the insurer.
       Action: Mike Walker

19. Any Other Business:
Liz Hall raised concerns about reports in the local press about restrictions on parking in Market Square. Joan Johnstone informed the meeting that there was no proposal, and if any changes were made it would have to be a compromise solution.

The Forum supported a further evaluation of all parking in Kirkby Stephen, and the secretary was asked to write to the Town Council offering its support with respect to finding a solution to parking difficulties in town.
       Action: Mike Walker

The secretary offered his apologies that a 2010-2011 Annual Report had not been prepared, and asked if one was needed. It was agreed that a formal report was no necessary, but members could be referred to the list of activities in the minutes of the May 2011 meeting.

20. Date of next meeting:
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Monday 14 Novmber 2011 at 1900 in the room above the TIC.