MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF FELIXSTOWE CHAMBER OF TRADE AND COMMERCE HELD AT THE ORDANANCE HOTEL FUNCTION ROOM ON MONDAY 26^th March 2007

PRESENT – Shaun Rudduck – Chairman, Harvey Smith – Vice Chairman, Louise Berrill - Secretary, John Brinkley - Treasurer, Simon Sweetman, Charlie Manning, Stephen Flynn, Maggie Schober, Jacqui Edson, Tracy Tipple, Stanley Harris, Caron Mexome, David Preston

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Dick Calvesburt, Barry Williment

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – The minutes of the previous AGM for 13^th March 2006 were read by the Secretary, accepted as a true record and signed by the chairman.

PROPOSED: Harvey Smith                           SECONDED: John Brinkley

MATTERS ARISING – None

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT –  

It has been an interesting 1^st year since I was elected Chairman and I am pleased to report many positive things the Chamber has achieved. This is all down to the hard work and enthusiasm of my colleagues on the executive committee without whose support, it would not have been possible. I extend my sincere thanks to all, with a specific mention to Louise Berrill, our magnificent Secretary, Harvey Smith, my vice-Chairman, John Brinkley, our treasurer and Caron Mexome. I must also offer the Chamber’s appreciation to Beatons, Focs Container Service, Burlington Florist, Porthole Photography and Froffee Coffee, being the companies who have supported the afore mentioned individuals concerned with time and other facilities to carry out their duties.

The best way to reflect the year is look back through the diary and pick out the highlights thus:

March – our last agm was followed by our ever popular quiz night at the Fludyers.

We also attended the review of the David Locke Report on the future of the Felixstowe Peninsular. During the course of the year, a steering group was formed to oversee the implementation of major projects such as those recommended in this report, and the Chamber is pleased to be an active member of this group. Several meetings have been held and the following projects promoted by the Chamber are included in the Group’s project database for eventual implementation: CCTV system. Seafront Observation Tower. Promenade enhancements viz Lighting, Seating, Toilets, Gardens. Landguard Fort Development. Tourist Transport e.g. train. Walton Avenue improvements.

May – we staged a popular and well supported networking evening with a presentation staged by Godfrey Spanner regarding the SNOASIS project. The Chamber continues to support this project and awaits the outcome of the public enquiry with interest.

July/August – the Chamber was featured in the Suffolk Business Magazine with a 2-page profile and 2 pages of support advertising by some of our members. This enhanced our profile immensely and gave us an opportunity to promote the Chamber and our objectives to a wider audience.

During this period it was also our pleasure and honour to attend the Mayor’s reception that was held at Landguard Fort.

September – saw the staging of our networking event entitled “Meet the Councillors” when a panel of our County, Coastal and Town Councillors braved a Question Time format from the assembled audience.

October – the Chamber was invited along with the Police, Town Council & District Council to re-form a project group to implement the provision of a mobile CCTV system for Felixstowe. This followed an unexpected successful attempt to obtain Government funding by the District Council.

The coming months will hopefully see this scheme in place for the benefit of residents and business in the town.

November – another sell out quiz night hosted at the Sands Bar saw a record attendance.

Also the Chamber attended a new forum of local Chambers and Business Associations which now meets on a regular basis to promote best practice and share ideas and inspiration for the benefit of members. This forum is also now actively pursuing access to the opportunities that will be available to the region’s businesses as a result of the 2012 Olympics.

December – a festive tour of Otley Hall was arranged for the members. A superb part of our heritage and history was viewed and the venue will be revisited again in 2007 when anniversary celebrations of the Gosnold connections are held. Thanks to the Lions Club for their continued staging of our Felixstowe Lights and this year, for a Chamber decoration that now forms part of the main displays. We also donated prizes to pupils and schools who took part in our Chamber Christmas Card competition.

January & February – meetings took place with Marche de France about staging a French Market in Felixstowe. Plans are well underway for this to take place in June. Also the Chamber commissioned the design and production of a website to be named “Visit Felixstowe”. Supported by Chamber & District Council funds, this exciting project will soon be up and running with a truly professional and efficient information site to promote Felixstowe and the resorts’ varied businesses and attractions.

Throughout the year, the Chamber has been represented on the Town Centre Management Group, Resort Regeneration Forum (now to be re-launched on an independent basis by the Chamber), in addition to the Committees mentioned above.

Financially the Chamber has supported Felixstowe in Flower, The Christmas Lights, Live Band Music in the Town Centre and the Mayor’s Charity Ball.

We have also provided funds for the promotion of Felixstowe via media such as the London Underground Advertising Posters and local and national tourist publications.

Finally, to you the membership, the numbers continue to grow and the committee appreciates the support. All the efforts are for your benefit so feedback is really welcome at all times. I look forward to our new Chamber year in anticipation of further success and achievement.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS –

Copies were available to all attendees.  These were discussed and it was noted that although there was a big increase in subscription fees the poor sales of Christmas cards had meant that bank balance wasn’t as healthy as the year previously. Thanks given to John Brinkley. 

PROPOSED:  Stanley Harris SECONDED:  Stephen Flynn  

APPOINTMENT OF EXAMINER OF ACCOUNTS –

Mr. Keith Horn examined the accounts.  He is pleased to continue with this for next year.  Thanks were given to Keith.

PROPOSED:  Harvey Smith              SECONDED:  Tracy Tipple

CHANGE OF RULE  –

Proposal to amend Rule 5 (b) to read:
The term of office for the Chairman & Vice Chairman is 1 year and both shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

PROPOSED:  Charlie Manning                      SECONDED:  Tracy Tipple

ELECTION OF OFFICERS (CHAIRMAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY & TREASURER) –

All officers were re-elected en-mass for the next period.

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION PRICES FOR 2008 –

It was agreed that the subscriptions should remain unchanged at £30 since there was an increase last year.

PROPOSED:   Caron Mexome          SECONDED: Maggie Schober

ANY OTHER BUSINESS –

Simon Sweetman raised the point that Felixstowe Farmers Market had failed due to the change in venue’s.  The committee agreed to take up this topic at their next general committee meeting with a view to finding a new venue as they felt the market was good for the town and trade.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 18.43.

_____________________________________________________________________________________Chairman

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