Minutes of the Risborough Area Business Group AGM

Held at Princes Risborough School on 9th October 2007 at 1900 Hrs

 

Attendees

President L.Adlam :L.Adlam Architects

A.Brown :Softech2000

A.Turner :PRTC

Chairman M.Pitcher :P.A.M.

M.Thomas :Coppins B&B

B.Benifer :PRTC

Hon Sec P.Pitcher :P.A.M.

C.Williams :Drifters Lodge B&B

R.Hughes :Police

Treasurer J.Brown :Softech2000

G.Hall :PRTC/WDC

 

 

 

Item

Topic

1

Chairman’s Welcome

 

The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone to the AGM.

 

2

Apologies for Absence received from:

P.Keen :Hypnos

C.Etholen :CAE Marketing

J.Thomas :Coppins B&B

J.Hughes :Corporate Comms

S.Marriott : PR School

M.Shuttle :David Shuttle

M.Adlam :Adlam Reprographics

A.Smith :J Smith & Sons

 

 

 

 

3

Minutes of the previous AGM held on 10th September 2006 (previously circulated)

 

The Minutes were agreed as a true record.

 

4

Chairman’s Report

At the 2006 AGM, chairman Graham Wiles reported on a very full year’s activity with a number of initiatives still outstanding.  Unfortunately Graham resigned after a few months due to pressure of work.  The issues remaining were:

1

develop connections with FSB

Linda Walton, Chair of the South Bucks & Aylesbury Branch addressed our May meeting

2

get RABG coverage in CrossTalk and other publications

Heather Brown produced several articles whilst Membership & Press Secretary

3

monitor the introduction of the special parking area in Risborough

I am involved in current discussions

4

lobby on behalf of the unacceptably high business rates in Risborough

our MPs are being briefed and will see if they can help

5

develop working relationship with PRTC and WDC

several joint meetings have been held including one with the leader of WDC

6

increase membership through PR and a membership drive

getting under way with help from a student at the school.  Someone needed to help with PR

7

ensure that our local MPs are aware of current issues

David Lidington & John Bercow met RABG at the September meeting

8

lobby for the introduction of CCTV in Risborough

Currently being installed and about to be switched on

9

continue to support the development of the market

Bob Aldridge involved with getting new stalls for the market and the introduction of the Continental market

10

implement and develop the local loyality scheme ‘Risborough Rewards’

this is all I was supposed to be doing this year!  However, Graham’s resignation has meant that I have not put as much effort into this project as I had hoped.

RABG met most months in the school for a series of meetings designed to cover topical issues:

November : PRTC & Youth TC gave presentations

December : Social at the Bowls Club where the students at Risborough School presented their designs for the RAYM logo competition

January     : Progress meeting on Risborough Rewards; Bill Bendyshe-Brown on local government

February   : Roger Fagg, Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway; Community ‘Watch’ scheme

March       : Chris Holden, senior trading standards officer, BCC

April         : Social evening at Kimble Tandoori

May          : Linda Walton, Federation of Small Businesses; Top 10  business IT tips; briefing about the Continental market

June          : Advice on anti-smoking legislation; Marketing the small business

July           : Fighting crime and anti-social behaviour

September : meeting with David Lidington & John Bercow

 

During the year three key menbers of RABG indicated that they would not continue as officers:

* Graham Wiles stood down as chairman.  I have already referred to his energy and commitment to the town which were outstanding.  However, the ever-increasing demands of his own business meant he could no longer commit to RABG.

* Bill Bendyshe-Brown, our Treasurer, helped Lance relaunch the business group.  He has taken on an ever increasing political work load and in spite of selling his business just did not have the time to fulfil his role as treasurer.  We are grateful to him and welcomed Jane Brown in his place when he resigned in May.

* Heather Brown, as Membership Secretary & responsible for PR, produced an excellent newsletter which was distributed to all members and local businesses.  When she closed her delicatessen ‘Pickles’ in the High Street and joined IFC, she was not able to continue being on the committee.

 

Pam has decided not to stand for re-election.  She took over the secretaryship when Graham became chairman and worked hard on behalf of RABG.  But with my getting more involved as chairman, we realised our own business was beginning to suffer.   She will continue to support me with Risborough Rewards and the website but RABG urgently needs another secretary.  We have an offer from a student at Risborough School, Jade Lenton, to be Minutes Secretary but that leaves the programme and the monthly meetings to organise.

 

I am very grateful for the support I have received from members of the committee, and particularly from our President - thank you Lance.  The coming year will be a crunch year for us.  Attendance at meetings has been very poor so the committee has decided to propose switching to meetings every other month beginning in November.  The AGM in 2008 to be held in November.

 

I have agreed to survey our members to see what they really want from us.  It will take the form of an Economic Survery to be held before Christmas, and we intend to get some local publicity for it.  Other direct marketing is planned and a new database has been built by Jade of all businesses in the Risborough area.  Our next project is to update the RABG website and include details of all members with links to their own sites.

 

Ben Benifer suggested the Town Guide section on commerce should be updated by the RABG committee to promote the organisation.  RABG contributes to the Town Festival by taking advertising.

 

5

Treasurer’s Report

Jane Brown presented the accounts for the year ending 31 May 2007 which were handed round.  A copy is attached to these minutes.  The main expenditures were:

* £700 grant to Risborough Rewards to help with start-up costs

* £200 grant to RACA as matched funding for the Visitor Project

* Cost of refreshments at meetings

The accounts were examined and signed by John Hughes as a true and fair view of the affairs of RABG.

 

The Treasurer’s report was proposed by Mike Pitcher, seconded by Lance Adlam and carried unanimously.  

6

RABG Rules of Association

The RABG Rules of Association were originally modelled on those of the old Chamber of Commerce.  Some changes have been made to cope with the small numbers attending meetings.  Copies of the proposed Rules were distributed.  The changes were proposed by Martyn Thomas, seconded by Andrew Brown and accepted with one abstention.

7

Membership Fee

The proposal was to increase the membership fee to £25 per year.  This would allow some flexibility to support local causes etc.  If refreshments at the end of each meeting are to continue, an additional contribution would be needed from all members.  It was agreed that in future, tea and coffee would be sufficient.  The school’s new board room, where RABGmeetings will be held in the future, has the necessary facilities available.

The membership fee of £25 was proposed by Jane Brown, seconded Lance Adlam and carried unanimously.

Invoices will be sent out by early next year.

8

Election of RABG Officers and RABG representatives on local committees

Position

Nominee

Proposed by

Seconded by

Officers

 

 

 

President

Lance Adlam

Mike Pitcher

Andrew Brown

Chairman

Mike Pitcher

Lance Adlam

Martyn Thomas

Vice-chairman

No nomination

 

 

Secretary

No nomination

 

 

Treasurer

Jane Brown

Mike Pitcher

Lance Adlam

Membership secretary )

Press officer                )

No nomination

 

 

Representatives

 

 

 

RACA

Martyn Thomas

Mike Pitcher

Lance Adlam

Town festival

Mary Shuttle

 

 

Market Town Forum

Bob Aldridge

 

 

Risborough Area Forum

Ann Smith

 

 

School governor

Robin Hughes

Lance Adlam

Mike Pitcher


Should Martyn Thomas be unavailable to attend RACA meetings at any time, John Hughes has agreed to update RABG in his place as necessary.

Jade Lenton from Risborough School VI form has agreed to be Minutes Secretary while a secretary is being sought.

All officers and representatives were elected unanimously.

Those positions not filled will be discussed at the next committee meeting.

9

AGM closed at 19:55

 

 

 

Ex-Hon.Sec Pam Pitcher                                                                                                                                                                         

28-10-2007

 

 

Minutes of the Risborough Area Business Group Monthly Meeting

Held at Princes Risborough School on 9th October 2007 at 20:00 Hrs

 

Item

Topic

1

Chairman’s Welcome

The Chairman reopened the meeting following the AGM.

2

Minutes of the meeting held on 10th July 2007 (previously circulated)

The meeting was concerned with Fighting Crime in Risborough and covered CCTV, Early Warning System and Neighbourhood Watch schemes.  The Minutes were agreed as a true record.

3

Matters arising from Minutes not already covered by the Agenda

Chinnor Railway: the dinner was postponed due to lack of time in which to organise it.  The suggestion was to have it nearer the time the train actually comes into Risborough.  Ideas are needed for a suitable venue as the original plan to use the MRHS marquee after the annual show was not suitable.

4

Proposal to change to meetings every other month

Due to the difficulty of attracting members to meetings and finding interesting topics, a proposal was put to the membership to switch to meetings alternate months.  The next meeting will be November’s with Mary Shuttle outlining developments in the Early Warning System.  Retailers will be leafletted and hopefully will attend and sign up to the scheme.

The change was proposed by Lance Adlam, seconded by Mike Pitcher and was carried unanimously.

5

RACA Report:

John Hughes sent a report in his absence:

·        RACA is being reorganised into a project based organisation to carry on with the Visitor project and other initiatives

·        AGM is scheduled for 24th October 7.30pm in the Community Centre

·        meeting of PRTC, RACA and RABG is planned for 15th October, 7.00pm, on the High Street Study.  It is hoped some retailers will attend to give their points of view.

·        Continental market is planned for the switching on of the Christmas lights, early December

·        a new tea room has opened in Risborough by the Mount car park which is encouraging!

6

Any Other Business

·         A4010: temporary traffic regulations will be enforced on A4010 for 16 weeks from 1st November while work is carried out on the Upper Icknield Way and Wood Way at the Culverton Crossroads.  Shootacre Lane will be closed during the redevelopment.

·         Police: another PC and two PCSOs will join the police in Risborough.  Sergeant Ann Dunbar is on extended sick leave and will not be replaced.  A second NAG has been set up to cover the outer Risborough area.

·         <