Minutes
of the Risborough Area Business Group Monthly Meeting
Held
at
|
Attendees |
|
|
|
President L.Adlam :
LAdlam Architects |
C.Waterton :WDC |
C.Williams :Business
Link |
|
Chairman G.Wiles :IFC |
H.Brown :Pickles
Delicatessen |
J.Vessey :Ariel |
|
Hon
Sec P.Pitcher :P.A.M. |
P.Keen :Hypnos |
J.Hughes :Corporate
Comms |
|
P.Jeffries :Spruced-Up |
A.Smith :J.Smith &
Sons |
C.Hawkins :Trilogy |
|
R.Jeffries :Spruced-Up |
S.Marriott : |
M.Pitcher :P.A.M. |
|
M.Thomas :Coppins
B&B |
D.Kent :Special Days |
N.Faux :Risborough
Police |
|
J.Thomas :Coppins
B&B |
S.Barker :Inca Studio |
|
|
Item |
Topic |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
1 |
Chairman’s Welcome The
Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone, including the new member
Chris Hawkins. He apologised for the
lack of speakers at this evening’s meeting, but Gary Hall (Mayor of
Risborough Town Council) had cancelled on behalf of the Council at 24 hours
notice due to an urgent engagement to discuss the renaming of a local playing
field. Unfortunately the other members of RTC who were scheduled to attend
were also unavailable. |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
2 |
Apologies for Absence
received from:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
3 |
Minutes of the meeting
held on The
Minutes were agreed as a true record. |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
4 |
Matters arising from
Minutes not already covered by the Agenda ·
CCTV: the
Chairman updated everyone on developments re the installation of CCTV in
Risborough. Following the ram raid on
the Nat Westminster bank in the High Street, he thanked Nigel Faux (Police)
for joining several members of the committee, the manager of the bank, RTC
and WDC for a photo shoot which was published in the local papers. Meetings with the Town Council (RTC) and
RACA brought this issue to the fore.
Apparently the scheme to match any funds raised with money from the
Home Office has ended, and the Police are now responsible for allocating
these resources. At the present time
RTC is anxious that RABG does not interfere in CCTV negotiations and ‘muddy
the waters’. The Chairman has written
to David Lidington (our local MP) who contacted and is chasing Rob Angel, the
new police area commander. Risborough
has been promised there will be a police car stationed in the town between ·
Helen
Duffell’s policing concerns: Nigel
Faux was asked to ensure that PC Heather Blake followed up Helen’s issues
over broken windows and taking possible private action against the offender. ·
Contact
with school: following Stuart’s presentation and discussion on how RABG
could help, Paul Jeffries was
asked to be RABG’s point of contact with Sue Collins at the school to move
some of these ideas and initiatives forward.
Secretary to email Paul
with the list of suggestions from previous meetings. ·
Agenda for
next meeting: the Chairman suggested that, as RTC had not been able to
attend this meeting, they should be invited to join the March presentation by
the Town Festival committee. He stressed the importance of the PR groups
working together. Chairman to contact Will Steule (editor of CrossTalk) and Alan
Turner (RTC) as possible members/future speakers. |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
5 |
RACA Action Group
Reports: Economic. Peter
Keen reported that his sub-committee had a useful breakfast meeting on ·
Tesco: he has met with Alison
Carroll (manager) who wants Tesco to play a more active role in RABG ·
Viability
of the High Street: results of his shop survey were distributed to
members with the previous set of Minutes ·
Business
survey: in progress and proving difficult. He hoped Business Link would be able to help with a list of contacts, and WDC with addresses of premises paying
rates. ·
Car park
fees survey: has been carried out in Wendover and Thame. Both towns have schemes where parking is
free for the first one or two hours (depending on which car park). Robin Evans (WDC) is responsible for car
parks and it is hoped permission will be given to make the Mount car park in
Risborough free for the first two hours.
This will benefit the Leisure centre, Community Centre and the
Wellington House surgery, and perhaps those parking will also be tempted into
the High Street for shopping during the free period. ·
CCTV: he was able to support the photo
opportunity outside the NatWest bank and was pleased to see the article in
the Bucks Free Press. ·
Steam
train:
the project is still looking for funds (contrary to information on the
website). Peter is convinced this will
bring many visitors into Risborough if transport into the town centre can be
organised to link with the trains. GW and PK to meet with Chinnor Railway.
Perhaps RACA could help
with fund raising. ·
Work
experience: Hypnos has a VIth form student from the school. Peter suggested that other local businesses
should offer placements suitable for Year 10 (15 year olds) who do their work
experience during the summer term. GW
also reported that IFC had two excellent students recently. This should be organised through Paul
Jeffries (see point 4) ·
RABG
visits:
he requested the committee
investigate organising visits to local businesses, e.g. Ercol, Cheverton,
Tesco (behind the scenes), Blanchfords, Hypnos, Chiltern Brewery, RAF Naphill
(BBB agreed to organise) etc. Visits
would be most informative if they could be arranged during business hours. The
next meeting of his sub-committee is fixed for |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
6 |
Talk by Simon Barker
of Inca Studio on his Quilt Show Simon
updated members on his quilt show in the Community Centre, ·
a very positive response from local shops with
40+ offers to hang quilts or take advertising ·
over a hundred visitors from the ·
all profits will be going to local charities ·
RTC has given permission for King George V
playing field to be used for parking & coaches. Volunteers will be needed to organise
parking and put up signposts. ·
Cheryl Hewitt of WDC has promised funding
towards administration costs He
suggested that local shops should take advantage of the increase in visitors
to Risborough. Art
and Office are putting on a show in the Church. The
local press will be asked to promote the local businesses who offer
sponsorship. Peter
Keen of Hypnos offered a couple of beds for displaying quilts or the
possibility of using his showroom (with free bacon rolls!). Please
contact Simon with offers of help etc at studioinca@aol.com
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
7 |
Update by Mike Pitcher
on proposed Loyalty Card Scheme ‘Risborough Rewards’ The
Hazlemere scheme, as reported on Radio 4, is not suitable for Risborough as
it involves an up front payment of over £100 per member. What is required is a low financial risk
solution. Some Risborough shops
already run their own rewards - Inca Studio, Special Days, Pickles etc. The requirements of any proposed scheme should: ·
be suitable for all retailers irrespective of
size (unlikely Tesco would want to join) ·
be low cost ·
result in repeat business ·
provide marketing and advertising
opportunities Mike
offered to head a group of up to six interested local retailers to brain-storm
a ‘Risborough Rewards’ scheme and report back to the committee. Offers of help came from Simon Barker, Mark
Adlam, Heather Brown and Derek Kent plus some committee members. It was decided that their first meeting
would be held at IFC, Note:
Mary Shuttle has since also volunteered her services. |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
8 |
Member’s Talk by Paul
& Richard Jeffries on Spruced-Up Paul
and Richard set up their gardening business in Risborough in November 2003 Their main areas of activity are: ·
Maintenance: offering
a monthly package of grass cutting, weeding and pruning. They also do gutter maintenance and tree
work ·
Project
work:
including timber decking, sheds, greenhouses, fencing, gates, tree surgery,
ponds and water features, patios, driveways, planting and re-designs Their clients include: ·
Insurance
companies: hedge and fence repairs ·
Domestic
homeowners: general gardening & maintenance, garden clearance ·
Estate
agents: tidying
up properties for sale or rental ·
Pubs:
maintenance & project work to improve image ·
Care homes: regular
maintenance Their aims and objectives: ·
expand their business two-fold through
recommendations and word-of-mouth ·
offer high quality work ·
be known for their reliability, turning up as
agreed etc ·
promote the professional face of gardening Their strengths: ·
offer a complete service from design to
completion ·
licensed to handle waste (they comply with all
regulations on the disposal of waste) ·
fully insured ·
HTA approved and regulated ·
employ experienced project managers and
workers The
talk was followed by an open discussion.
They don’t advertise very much but rely on word-of-mouth
recommendations; perhaps RABG members could help them in this way. They are prepared to take on and coach
youngsters, provided their company image of politeness and efficiency is not
compromised. They prefer domestic work
to local council contracts. Paul
and Richard can be contacted on www.spruced-up.co.uk or 01844 343783 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
9 |
RACA Action Group
Reports: Community
& Housing. Heather
Brown reported that they were now working in two groups: Youth strategy: the plan
to draw up a questionnaire/audit of what needs doing is moving ahead
slowly. They are linking with year 10
at the school, and have given them a project to design a new logo. Heather will present an award for the
winning design. The youth club has
reopened and is fairly well supported. Older group: finding it
difficult to convince other organisations that they can be of help. Stuart
Marriott mentioned that prizes and awards in the form of certificates and
trophies are always appreciated by the school, particularly if presented by
an outsider. Perhaps RABG could
sponsor a regular project or competition.
Christine Williams suggested a search for a suitable grant to cover
costs. Transport. Graham
Wiles reported that he was unable to attend the last meeting but had since
been updated on the various issues: ·
Ridgeway
trail: possible
plans to move it to the east of Risborough? ·
A4010: has at
long last been recognised at county level as a problem road ·
Transport
plan: LTP2
has been finalised for submission so changes should start happening. ·
Speed
limits: these
are to be applied in April and will extend beyond Risborough. To
make the committee more effective, each member has been assigned certain
issues to follow-up. Further transport
developments and concepts will be covered under Item 10 below. Environment. Youssef
Safir was not at the meeting so no feedback was provided. |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
10 |
Update on Risborough
2035 Study by Graham Wiles Graham Wiles gave
members an informal update on the progress David Lock Associates have made
to-date on the Risborough 2035 study. Meeting
held at the British Legion on All
committee personnel from the majority of local organisations were included
but not limited to; Local WD
Councillors for The Risboroughs, RACA, RTC, U3A, RABG, Police, Risborough
Area Forum etc. The meeting was very
well attended and attendees were asked to divide into relevant interest
groups and tables ie. Transport, Environment, Housing, Business etc. All were free to attend any table that was
convening. General conclusion; A very well
attended evening with the beginnings of a very good spirit of cooperation
which was present. The evening was
very encouraging toward a more joined up approach to tackling the current
problems and opportunities ahead of us. Briefly;
This study is aimed at providing a program and vision for the future of
Princes Risborough that will form a framework and inform future local
developments for WDC, BCC and any wider Regional Bodies, regarding the
current status and future needs of the local Princes Risborough area and
community. The study is being
championed by RACA and supported by WDC and PRTC. The
latest draft of the report will be presented to WDC in next couple of weeks
incorporating comments made at this latest forum. A full public presentation of the final
draft will be notified to all before the final report is issued. A final version of the report will
apparently be available at www.wycombe.gov.uk. Problems/findings;
Ageing population, dropping 3+ people housing, > no. of 1 and 2 bed
apartments/houses, falling school rolls, structural demographic problems,
isolated rail links to town centre and retail core, significant through
traffic with no experience of town, lack of open space, challenged town
centre and retail mix. Shops off the
main drag ( Positives;
The town was noted as having significant diversity of industry, a strong
character, affluent area, creative businesses, strong location and
geography/setting. Strategy;
Retain young to be either employed locally or given good transport links to
surrounding employment areas. Strengthen school. Provide opportunities for
the young. Affordable housing, reinforce economy. Provide premises for
maturing/established/growing businesses to avoid losing
employment.Reinvestment & expansion of business parks without
compromising character. Attract major companies via rail and road links to
M40. Foster latent potential for niche businesses, regenerate town centre. Create ‘high quality public realm’, sort
traffic, rebalance traffic, cycle, pedestrians in centre. Create attractive
accessible town centre with green spaces and maximising setting. Re establish, simple and comprehensible,
logical structure to town. Town/station relationship to be addressed,
location and integration of new regeneration enterprise areas, and housing
areas. Connectivity all round
town. Create ‘the experience’ of the
route through town. Key Ideas (in no particular order!); Link station and possibly halt at Longwick end of
village, possibly relegate Bell Street and take bypass up New Road and behind
school and reconnect at Wycombe end of village thereby taking congestion out
of school/shopping areas. Provide better vistas of village from |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
11 |
Any Other Business 1. Heather Brown updated the meeting on
her plans for the April 11th social meeting. The walk will start in the Whiteleaf Cross
car park, pause at the Plough for a drink and continue to the Russell Arms
for a meal. She wants the walk to
focus on tourism issues and has asked Francis
Gomme to help lead and bring everyone up-to-date. Relevant RACA working groups will also be
invited to join the walk. Meeting
places, times and menus will be handed out at the March mmeting. The
cost of the 3 course meal will be £25 per person. Please email
Heather at hbpicklesdeli@aol.com if you would like join the walk. A
copy of the menu is included at the end of these minutes 2. Nigel Faux said a) he would
like to discuss with the committee a new police initiative for the area with
a view to a full presentation to members as soon as possible. b) Princes Risborough is to be used for a
pilot scheme for offenders on probation doing community service. The idea is for them to do useful work
which will put something of value back into the community. However, suggestions will be needed for
suitable projects appropriate to the range of skills of the offenders. Heather Brown promised to email
everyone with the date and time of a meeting that is to be arranged to take
this matter further. 3. Trickster. A community musical to combat distraction
burglary is being presented with professional actors on Tuesday 18th
April 2006, 9.30 am till 1 pm, at The Hub (Union Baptist Church), High
Wycombe HP11 1NJ. To book a ticket please call Trading Standards on
01296 382910, www.trickster-musical.co.uk 4. Risborough burial ground. There are still problems with getting the
proposed site approved (generously donated by a local family). Anyone present who felt strongly about this
matter was requested to write to David Gibbon (Planning & Major Projects,
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
12 |
Date of Next Meeting The next meeting is on Thursday 16th March, The secretary has diaries with dates of future RABG meetings and
contact details of committee members.
Anyone wanting a diary should email pam@pamuk.demon.co.uk or ring 01844
346687. NOTE: the date for the July meeting - Tuesday 11th
- is now confirmed and will be held at the school as usual. However, parking will be difficult that
night so be warned! The
meeting closed at |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Russell Arms Menu £25 per head Cream of mushroom
soup, hazelnut pesto Organic salmon &
coriander fishcake, tartare sauce Moroccan spiced duck
spring roll, plum sauce & cumin ------ Crispy Gloucester Old
Spot pork belly, creamed cabbage and bacon Goats cheese
croquettes, roasted roots, basil sauce Grilled fillet of
halibut, brown shrimp risotto, lobster sauce Peppered rump steak,
grilled flat cap mushrooms, tomato relish & chips Seasonal vegetables
& potatoes ------ Hot dark chocolate
tart, vanilla ice cream Panacotta, lime
marinated pineapple Warm rice pudding,
sugared skin, boozy prunes ------ Coffee and chocolates |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Hon.Sec Pam Pitcher |
||||||||||||||||||||