Felixstowe C of C - AGM Minutes 2010

AGM Minutes 2010

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF FELIXSTOWE CHAMBER OF TRADE AND COMMERCE HELD AT THE BROOK HOTEL ON MONDAY 15^th March 2010

PRESENT -

Peter Dawes

Dave Whiting

David Preston

Louise Berrill

Dr. Janet Massey

Nick Barber

Andrew Rowdon

Dick Moffat

John Brinkley

Tracy Tipple

Bob Scott

Dick Calvesburt

Stanley Harris

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE –

Sue Gipps

Belinda Jarvis

Carol Jones

Charlie Manning

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING –

PROPOSED: Dick Moffat SECONDED: David Preston

3^rd Page – It was not the Lord Majors Reception (as noted by John Brinkley)

MATTERS ARISING –

None

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT –

I feel it only right I start this years chairman’s report where I finished last years with the economy. In March 2009 we had started to see the impact of the down turn and I wondered how deep the recession was going to be. A year later and a lot of my questions have been answered and the full depth and scale of the downturn has had an impact on us all. We saw several retailers close down and in particular Hamilton Road started to have spots of white washed windows and closure signs. We saw developments like the out of town Next being put on the back burner and question marks over the funding for local projects. I was not sheltered from the pain and in November I was made redundant with my business being closed down. All in all the depth and harshness has surprised me and I feel as we very slowly climb out of recession there is still pain to come before we can all breath easier.

On The Pitch

I had to sadly accept the resignations from Dean Wales due to work commitments and Tracey Laflin due personal reasons. I would like to thank them both for all there hard work and support.

I was delighted with the response to an appeal for new committee members and would like to welcome Nick Barber, Andrew Rowden and Belinda Jarvis. I’m looking forward to their input and the skills that they bring to the table.

I would like to thank Carol Jones my vice chair for all her ideas and her fresh approach. I would like my thanks noted for the work she did on the street fair which was held on the 23^rd August, in what was a very difficult time for her.

I must say a very big thank you to Louise Berrill for all her hard work and dedication throughout the year as she too has had to balance work and family issues but has still not only meet her obligation but surpassed them.

I would like to say a huge thank you to John Brinkley for his tireless work and dedication. He has not only done a first rate job as treasurer but has also taken a lot of the work load off of me with attending various committee meetings.

Thanks must go out to all the committee members, Stan Harris, Charles Manning, Dave Preston, Tracy Tipple, Sue Gipps, Dick Moffat and Dave Whiting. I would like to thank Dick and Dave for they help in the support of the street fair and Carol, Dick & Sue for their involvement in the Hamilton Road Sub committee. Thank you Sue for the backing of the evening star and the many items and columns I’m sure your input enabled us to have. Thanks goes out to Tracey for all your help but also keeping me company at the breakfasts.

I feel the committee is more settled than last time I reported to you and I’m pleased we have agreed to share out the responsibilities of attending meetings. I would like to see a formal succession plan in place for the role of chair person so a degree of structure and forward planning can be brought to the chamber.

Off The Pitch

We started off the term with a curry night and an evening held at Sirens, which were both a great success. We held an evening at the Brook hotel to mark its refurbishment and the obtainment of its 3 star rating with guess speaker Rachel Sloan. On the 11^th May we held another of our hugely successful quiz nights. I would like to go on the record of thanking Shaun Rudduck for the work he put in to this. We sponsored three basket’s for the Felixstowe in flower and donated £300 towards the art on the prom in August. We held a Joint speed networking night with ISSBA in May. Got involved with the young chamber project which culminated in a working breakfast held at Coplestone high school. We were invited to sit on the 14-19 panel via Suffolk Chamber and I attend a dinner of community/business leaders hosted by SCC and also attended the Young peoples summit held at BT. In all I attend 24 meetings ranging from the Civic church service to Felixstowe In Flower awards presentation and enjoyed every one.

Following the review of committees that we sat on we agreed to attend and keep a presence on the Safer Neighbourhoods, CCTV, Felixstowe Futures, Felixstowe Learning Trust and 14-19 Strategy scheme. These we felt with the limited man power added most value to the business community.

At the last AGM I stressed the importance of the networking breakfast and the role the Flyer played in this. I’m delighted to report the breakfasts continued to be a Hugh success with last months attracting over 40 people and I cannot stress enough that they must continue.

No report would be complete without a mention of the disappointment reference to the summer dance and having to cancel. I felt the impact of the drop in confidence and spending on such events from the business community was a major factor in lack of numbers. As a chamber I feel we were slow to realise this and it was a costly mistake, but I would like to thank all the parties involved including the band, caters and in particular the Golf Club for their help and understanding. The lesson learnt from this was the decision to put on hold all future do’s till such time it is felt the climate improves. We also took the decision to close the visit Felixstowe web site due to continued problems with the management of the site and issues with the developers. Louise and I attended meeting’s with interested parties with a view to a replacement but I must report progress is frustratingly slow.

On a positive note I would like say what a huge success the Street Fair was in August. This to me restored me faith and showed a new way forward. I really enjoyed the day and would like to thank everyone who was involved in the organisation of what was a most enjoyable, successful day and I would be keen to see another such event.

That brings me finally to the start of the Shared Space project with work commencing early February 2010. We have been involved in every step of the planning and consultation and we are still involved. Most recently we have been passing on the feed back from retailers in Hamilton Road to the relevant parties and press. I do feel the disruption caused whilst the work is being carried out and the understandable frustration of traders will be worth it. I personal look forward to the big opening and maybe a street fair/performing arts day to launch the new Hamilton Road once completed.

I recommend this report to the committee,

Peter Dawes

Chairperson.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS –

Deficit – mainly due to the Summer Dance cancellation. All were happy with the balance sheet provided

PROPOSED: Dave Whiting SECONDED: Nick Barber

ELECTION OF OFFICERS –

Chairman – Peter Dawes

Vice Chairman – Carol Jones

Treasurer – John Brinkley

Secretary – Louise Berrill

All committee voted in favour of their re-election