Minutes of the Risborough Area Business Group Monthly Meeting

Held at Princes Risborough School on 17^th January 2006 at 1900 Hrs

Attendees

Lance Adlam President

Graham Wiles Chairman

Pam Pitcher Hon Sec

Members: J.Mackinson (The Old Station B&B), P.Jeffries (Spruced-Up), M.& J.Thomas (Coppins B&B), D.Robertson (Robertsons of Risborough), S.Barker (Inca Studio), C.Waterton (WDC), H.Brown (Pickles Delicatessen), P.Keen (Hypnos), B.Clark (J.H.Clark Butchers), J.Hughes (Corporate Comms), A.Smith (J.Smith & Sons), S.Marriott (Risborough School), D.Kent (Special Days), S.Lewis (Rest Home for Horses), T.Sturgess (Sturgess Services), J.Murdock (Business Link), C.Etholen (CAE Sales & Marketing), J.Varley & S.Baker (Sylvia & Jean Hair Stylists), Clara (Bucks Free Press)

Guests: Sergeant Nigel Faux, PC Heather Blake

Item		Topic
1		Chairman’s Welcome The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone to the meeting and introduced our speakers for the evening.
2		Apologies for Absence Apologies received from E.Tadros (Ercol), S.Barnes (Art & Office), J.Proops (Titan Engineering), B.Clarke (Birtchnells), M.Adlam (Adlam Reprographics), S & V.Dear (Chiltern Circuits), A.Brown (SoftTech2000), G.Ribbens (Ribbens Consultants), H.Duffell (Reflexology), S.Palios (The Paddocks), B.Bendyshe-Brown (B3 Consultancy), R.Jeffries (Spruced-Up), L.Wager (Sideview), C.Williams (Business Link)
3		Minutes of the meeting held on 29^th November 2005 (previously circulated) The Minutes were agreed as a true record.
4		Matters arising from Minutes not already covered by the Agenda John Hughes reported that David Lock Associates had met with RABG, The Residents Association, Princes Risborough School and the Police, and will be talking with the Risborough Area Forum on 30^th Jan. DLA plans to present their draft findings in February with a full public meeting at a later date. The Chairman thanked Ercol for allowing RABG the use of their facilities for the Christmas social event, and Heather Brown for the delicious buffet. The evening was enjoyed by all.
5		Business Update John Hughes reported that the Visitor Project was well under way with a three phase campaign to raise Princes Risborough’s profile and develop the Chiltern Experience. In response to a draft proposal from Wycombe District Council, the RABG committee, along with RACA and the Risborough Forum, has decided to write a firm letter to WDC confirming that RABG will not come under the auspices of the Town Council. RABG wishes to retain its independent voice in the community.
6		Presentation by Sergeant Nigel Faux and PC Heather Blake of the Risborough Police Nigel has been in Risborough for 4 months (ex Oxford, High Wycombe) and Heather for 1 year, the average length of stay in any one area being 2 years. Historically Risborough was tied to Aylesbury and Thame although there were difficulties with Thame being in a different county. Nowadays the attachment is with High Wycombe. Staffing levels have dropped over the years from 14 to 6 due to national changes in the way the country is policed. Two officers are based in the town providing cover for an area extending to Stoke Mandeville, West Wycombe and Speen. The Risborough station is manned during the hours of 8.00 am to 10.00 pm to cover 999 calls and community issues. The station desk is manned locally and open to the public from 10.30 to 12.00. Outside of these hours, High Wycombe provides cover which means that response times can be twenty minutes or more. In cases of criminal damage, the police will respond only if a car can arrive quickly enough to be effective. Risborough is deemed to be a safer area with lower crime figures than e.g. High Wycombe and Thame. On average there is one recorded crime per day, hence the lower staffing levels. The meeting was then opened to the floor for questions and comments. Lance Adlam explained that the local shops used to have a chain for passing on information. With many of the premises having changed hands, this scheme needs updating and a key person appointed to liaise with the police and act as a point of contact. High Wycombe has a shop and a pub watch with a radio network for passing on information - RABG committee to develop this issue. Heather Brown passed on complaints that the traffic warden was being too officious, issuing tickets just minutes after the parking period had expired. However, others said at times there was a lack of enforcement with cars being allowed to park for long periods. Martyn Thomas commented that it was common knowledge amongst the local trouble makers that police cover at night is non-existent. In reply, Nigel explained that although Claire Philpott, our traffic warden, is full time, she also carries out other duties in the town to help the police. However, they will consider fully the comments raised and try to work closer with the business group. In addition, the Marlow to Risborough area has several special constables, two of whom provide some local cover on Friday and Saturday evenings by watching out for antisocial behaviour. The meeting then discussed why CCTV has not been installed in Risborough, other than the camera at Risborough Springs which it not very effective due to poor resolution. Most local people, including the police, support the introduction of CCTV as it helps to deter and catch offenders. The plan is for up to a dozen cameras monitored by the control centre in High Wycombe. The operators are skilled at tracking and identifying individuals and will request police cover if they anticipate trouble. The main problem is agreeing the funding for the running costs which are around £16,000 per year. Princes Risborough Town Council does not want this commitment fully and several meetings on this issue have been postponed by WDC (last one was in October 2005), hence the lack of progress. It was pointed out that the cost of clearing up after vandalism runs at approx £40,000 per year. However, Chesham has got CCTV and there is no evidence that their crime rate has decreased significantly, although that is not to say the growth rate may have been higher in their absence. Peter Keen mentioned there was a Town Council meeting soon and RABG should put pressure on the various bodies involved by writing to key people including Alan Turner (RTC), Dennis Green (WDC/BCC) and Julia Langley (WDC, cabinet member responsible for CCTV). This issue of funding must be sorted out quickly. The chairman raised a concern on behalf of Helen Duffell who has suffered endless broken windows but feels let down by the police who have not prosecuted nor passed on the information she needs to bring a civil action against the known offender. Heather Blake responded that she had talked to Helen and explained that police policy is to caution first time juvenile offenders in the hope they will amend their ways. The police are not allowed to give out information on juveniles. She promised to contact Helen again. Nigel said the police would like to get more involved with RABG and be invited to future meetings. They welcome the RABG initiatives to expand the business watch scheme and campaign for the introduction of CCTV in the town. In conclusion, the best help RABG can give the police is to liaise with them and revitalise the communications network. In cases of emergency, 999 should be dialled. Otherwise 0845 8505505 will get through to a call centre. Graham Wiles, on behalf of RABG, thanked Nigel and Heather for their presentation and contribution to the discussion.
6		Talk by Stuart Marriott (deputy head) on Princes Risborough School Continuing the public order and policing theme for the evening, Stuart’s talk focussed on the issues and ways the school integrates into the local community and addressed social behaviour problems specifically. The school has approx. 1,000 students and its catchment area covers High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Princes Risborough with most of the children being bussed in. The local children tend to be ‘insular’ in outlook so the school is trying to foster a feeling of belonging by introducing a house system. ‘Young Enterprise’ businesses are encouraged - a recent group has done extremely well with their calendars. Links with other schools in Africa are being set up and Wednesday afternoons are devoted to non-curricular activities in groups. An ‘enrichment hour’ is being introduced to widen horizons. Unfortunately the youth club building is closed due to construction work and health and safety issues, but the school gym has been made available for youth club activities. A termly newsletter and website with local links, possible advertising opportunities for local businesses and on-line learning, are being developed in-house. For excellent examples, Stuart referred members to the Holmer Green and Wycombe High sites. A tiny minority of pupils, often with difficult family backgrounds, cause most of the problems. Thieving is a concern. Recently a computer suite was stolen by ‘hoodies’ who broke in through a window. In this case CCTV did not help as they had obviously ‘done their homework’ on how to avoid it! However the school believes that CCTV has been very useful in minor incidents, and it liaises closely at all times with the Youth Offenders team. Vandalism causes on-going low level disruption, but has been reduced through the introduction of extra security fences and improved supervision in school. The school has set up a Student Council with members from each year group. They raise concerns which the school then addresses, and have met with the Town Council to discuss local issues and are represented on the Youth Town Council, Although antisocial behaviour by pupils out of hours in the town is taken seriously, the school cannot get involved. However, feedback on bad behaviour going to/from school is requested and action will be taken. Anyone wishing to contact the school should ring 01844 345495 and ask for Stuart or Paul Rose (headmaster). The chairman thanked Stuart for his talk and opened the meeting for questions. The following issues were raised: · Truancy: there is a low level which the school is aware of and trying to address. · Exclusion: this is used as a last resort. Pupils disrupting classes are sent to a special WAFL room, re-named The Link, where a trained member of staff attempts to sort out problems. · Troublemakers: there is plenty of help and support for young offenders through the Youth Offenders programme, but what is being done for those whose behaviour is not deemed bad enough to be referred? · How can RABG help? : generally get involved and get to know the students through: o supporting a Young Enterprise group o helping with work related workshops and projects o giving talks and advice on business o presenting awards for work o offering work experience and placements o sponsoring cups/equipment/awards o being positive with the youngsters! Stuart was asked to consider setting up an information board for local businesses to advertise part-time jobs and placements.
7	RACA Action Group Reports: Economic. Peter Keen said there are problems that cut across RABG, RACA and the Town Council and they must work together on various issues such as: · Free Parking. Wendover and Thame have periods of free parking whereas Risborough charges. He offered to continue surveying local parking and discuss these issues with Richard Powell (WDC). Heather Brown volunteered to look at Thame’s fees. · CCTV. Something must be done very soon to sort out the finances and get CCTV installed. · Tesco wants to stop people parking while shopping in the High Street. Peter had a good meeting with Alison (manager). · Viability of the High Street. He had carried out a survey of retail premises in the High Street, the results of which are included at the end of these Minutes. Transport. Graham Wiles said the Transport meeting had been rescheduled so had nothing to report. Community & Housing. Heather Brown reported that the group had divided into two to concentrate on different issues (older and younger). She was working with the group addressing youth issues and planned to report back soon on two short term projects and a longer term one. The Youth club should reopen in January 2006. Environment. Youssef Safir was not at the meeting so no feedback was provided.
11	Any Other Business Graham Wiles requested ideas for presentations for future meetings. Suggestions included: · Talk on valuations/rates. Heather Brown said she would contact WDC and BCC · Information on how local projects are funded. Secretary to contact Francis Gomme, Bucks Community Action, Malcolm Godwin at BCC. Simon Barker of Inca Studio mentioned his Quilt Show on 26/27^th May 2006 in the Community Centre which is in aid of local charities. He is looking for shops in the High Street to display quilts and/or offer sponsorship. He would also like some help with parking etc. [Update subsequent to meeting, this has now been agreed by RTC]. The show will bring many visitors into Risborough so he hopes shops in the High Street will make the most of this opportunity. Please contact Simon at studioinca@aol.com or ring 01844 343343 Lance Adlam mentioned two websites that provide regular information of potential interest to RABG members. · “Business121 is the new newsletter for ambitious small business owners and start-ups. We aim to help you to own and run a more successful, more profitable and more enjoyable business. Sign up and get your own copy at www.business121.co.uk” · “j4bGrants funding news. Every fortnight j4bGrants.co.uk will send news summaries direct to your inbox to help keep you up-to-date with the ever changing world of government funding. The j4bGrants website offers comprehensive information on both business and voluntary group funding, updated daily. www.j4bgrants.co.uk” Following her presentation at the November meeting, Marylene Mansfield-Williams has sent details of an event being organised by the Centre for Sustainable Design, Farnham, Surrey (in partnership with CEAC, High Wycombe) which may be of interest to members. Date : 28th February 2006 at The Centre for Sustainable Design Title : Stakeholder Perspectives and Visions For more information visit www.thecarbontrust.co.uk
12	Date of Next Meeting The next meeting is on Thursday 23^rd February, 19.00 pm at Princes Risborough School. Diaries with dates of future RABG meetings and contact details of committee members were given to all present. The committee would like to thank John Catling of Whiteleaf Lithographic Printers for printing them. The meeting closed at 21:15 pm, and was followed by drinks and refreshments provided by Heather Brown

Hon.Sec Pam Pitcher

20-01-2006

Results of Survey of Shops in Princes Risborough (with thanks to Peter Keen of Hypnos who braved temperatures below zero to carry out this study)

Summary :

Restaurants (8)	Charity shops (4)	Off licence (2)
Estate agents (7)	Banks & building societies (4)	Supermarkets (2)
Pubs (5)	Hairdressers (men) (3)	Opticians (2)
Hairdressers (women) (5)	Chemists (3)	Dentists (2)
Gifts/cards/china (5)	Beauty shops (3)	Other shops/services (64)

St Mary’s Church		High Street - Market Square
Solicitors	Beauty salon	Bakers	Barclays bank
	1 empty	Pet shop	Dentist
		Office supplies	Estate agent
Market Square		Video rentals	George & Dragon pub
Whiteleaf Cross pub	Chinese restaurant	Mens outfitter	Card shop
Fish & Chips takeaway	Card & gifts shop	Hairdresser (M)	Chemist / post office
Estate agents	Clothes & beauty shop	Opticians	Doctors
Surveyors	Betting shop	Gift shop	Shoe shop
Estate agent	Jewellers	Dentist	Chemist
Lloyds bank	Domestic appliances	Beauty shop	Cookers
		NatWest bank	Chinese restaurant
Dukes Street - roundabout		Literary Institute	Delicatessen
Tesco supermarket	Veterinary surgery	Sweet shop	Estate agent
Furniture shop	Coffee/activity shop	Shoe repairers	Shaw Trust charity
Pet shop	Indian restaurant	Funeral director	Indian restaurant
Art gallery	Dry cleaners	Garage