MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF FELIXSTOWE CHAMBER OF TRADE AND COMMERCE HELD AT THE BROOK HOTEL ON MONDAY 17TH MARCH 2008
PRESENT – Shaun Rudduck – Chairman, Louise Berrill - Secretary, John Brinkley - Treasurer, John Went, Peter Dawes, Tracey Laflin, Sue Gipps, Dick Moffatt, Tracy Tipple, Adrian Quinn, David Preston, Dean Wales, Mr. Mrs Alligan, Charlie Manning, Dave Whiting, Stan harris.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – None
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – The minutes of the previous AGM for 13th March 2006 were amended to represent the correct venue (The Ordnance) were read by the Secretary, accepted as a true record and signed by the chairman.
PROPOSED: David Preston SECONDED: John Brinkley
MATTERS ARISING – None
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT –
FELIXSTOWE CHAMBER OF TRADE & COMMERCE
AGM 17 MARCH 2008
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Another exciting and interesting year passes and I am pleased to report more positive things the Chamber has achieved. Again I must thank the hard work and enthusiasm of my colleagues on the executive committee without the support of whom the Chamber could not function. Also to the membership who by joining the Chamber, paying subscriptions and supporting our and events helps to make our Chamber an active and vibrant addition to the Town’s commercial activities. Finally a mention for our key sponsors this year, Beatons, Focs Container Service and The Flyer Group.
Now for the customary look back on the highlights of the last 12 months:
March – our last agm was followed by another popular quiz night at the Ordnance Hotel. This month also saw the Resort Regeneration Forum reformed under the administration of the Chamber.
April – radio station Town 102 interviewed me about our forthcoming visitfelixstowe.co.uk website.
May – saw us stage an evening networking event An Audience with John Gummer.
June – visitfelixstowe.co.uk is launched with a reception at the Town Hall. This is now a popular and growing portal for showcasing all that Felixstowe has to offer and we look forward to promoting it far and wide in the next year. Many thanks to Suffolk Coastal District Council, Felixstowe Town Council and Debug Design for helping to make this happen.
This month also saw the first visit of the French Market. This proved very popular with traders and public alike.
August – the Chamber and the Flyer Group re-launch Breakfast Meetings and these have proved extremely popular and well supported every month since. Venues are rotated to keep them interesting and short presentations are given by volunteer attendees looking to promote their businesses and services.
Thanks also to those businesses that took part in our Shop Window Dressing competition in support of the Carnival.
October – back comes the French Market, but oh dear! A distinct lack of stalls made this event a poor show. Despite this we thanks all involved who turned out to support the event.
Back by popular demand, the Sands Bar played host to a Pop Quiz which again sold out.
November – we met with Lidl who are planning to redevelop the old Bus Station site with a new outlet and await further news on this welcome development for the town.
Another networking event was held and Roger Beaton gave an interesting and informative insight into the complicated world of inheritance tax.
December – Thanks to the Lions Club for their continued staging of our Felixstowe Lights and this year we joined the activities on the day with a stall to sell Chamber Christmas cards and special edition prints. A tremendous tombola was held and valuable funds were raised for the Chamber coffers; thanks to all the sponsors who donated prizes. Unfortunately we could not get a market to join the occasion, but watch this space in 2008!
January & February – continue to be busy with meetings of CCTV, Safer Neighbourhoods, Resort Regeneration, Town Centre Management and Felixstowe Futures committees/groups.
Again throughout the year the Chamber contributed to advertising the town and resort in various media and also took advantage of many options to promote its work. I have to thank our friends at the Town Council who have been very supportive of all the chamber’s efforts.
I wish the new Chairman and committee, including some new members all the best for the coming period and look forward to supporting them as much as possible in the efforts to promote Felixstowe as the place to do business.
Shaun Rudduck
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 but would like the payment of £50 to be made out to Mencap.
PROPOSED: Shaun Rudduck SECONDED: Dave Whiting
CHANGE OF RULE –
Last year the following 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.
Action: Louise to check that the rule has been changed and re-issue to executive committee members.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS (CHAIRMAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY & TREASURER) –
Peter Dawes was nominated by Tracey Laflin to be elected as Chairman.
Proposed: Tracey Laflin
Seconded: Shaun Rudduck
John Brinkley was re-elected as Treasurer.
Proposed: Shaun Rudduck
Seconded: Charlie Manning
Louise Berrill was re-elected as Secretary.
Proposed: Tracy Tipple
Seconded: Charlie Manning
The following new executive committee members were nominated and elected on mass:
Existing Executive Committee Members: Stanley Harris, Tracy Tipple, Charlie Manning & Dick Moffatt
New Executive Committee Members:
Sue Gipps – Nominated by Louise Berrill
Tracey Laflin – Assistant Secretary – Nominated by Rachel Noble
Dean Wales – Newsletter Coordinator – Nominated by Louise Berrill
Dave Whiting – Nominated by Louise Berrill
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION PRICES FOR 2009 –
It was agreed that the subscriptions should be increased slightly to reflect the additional activities and costs of Felixstowe Chamber to £35 to take affect from 1st February 2009. Dick Moffatt disagreed with the increase however Peter Dawes re-iterated to all attendees as to why subscriptions should be increased.
PROPOSED: Dave Whiting SECONDED: Stanley Harris
ANY OTHER BUSINESS –
Dick Moffatt asked what the over 50’s band was. Shaun explained that the band were based in Ipswich and played on the Triangle every non-raining Friday in July. The purpose was to provide entertainment for those in the town centre.
The attendees agreed that the cost and charges for breakfast and evening networking is a matter to be raised at the next general committee meeting. John Went commented that the price of the food supplied at the Golf Club for breakfasts would need to increase. Tracey commented that she thought the cost of the breakfast were extremely cheap compared to some places which charged £20 per person.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 18.50.
