LOSTWITHIEL BUSINESS GROUP

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD Wednesday 25^th August 2004

Present: A Barratt (AB), S Sanders , D Phipps (DP), L Abrahams (LA),

M Hoskin (MH), L Southgate (LS), K Southgate (KS)

Apologies H Edward Collins, N & J Bacon, J Manwaring (JM), M Royle

Minutes of Last Meeting

Minutes from meeting held 30^th June 2004 were accepted.

Matters Arising

People ignoring parking regulations – A new Traffic Warden has been noted in town several times during July and August. Action Closed

MH has contacted the family running the new cycle hire business and suggested leaflets could be supplied around town. Action Complete

A letter has been received from Mencap thanking LBG for the donation given last Christmas to cover work carried out by the electrician.

Restormel Council are seeking photographs for their web site to publicise organisations that have received grants. MH to find suitable photo from December 2003 Dickens evening. Action MH

Chairman’s Report

The chairman welcomed two new members to the Group:

Lorna Abrahams (Temont House)

Mark and Mandy Royle (Uzella Court)

Mike Smith (Trewether Farm) has resigned from the Group.

The Restormel Council corporate self assessment form has been returned.

Treasurer’s Report

The audited accounts for year ended March 2004 were presented to the meeting. Acceptance proposed by L J Southgate, seconded by M Hoskin. Approved unanimously.

The current bank balance is £1627-81. We do not receive interest on this account. Treasurer to investigate options for interest bearing accounts. Action - DP

A considerable number of members have not yet paid their subscription for this year. All members urged to pay as soon as possible. Please send a cheque for £15 made payable to Loswithiel Business Group to Déjà Vu Antiques, 31 Fore St, PL22 0BN.

Further copies of the town map are available from the treasurer. Contact David Phipps on 872664.

Town Forum Report

LS briefly described proceedings at the last Town Forum meeting.

· An impressive presentation on the proposed Nature Reserve was given by the Environmental Group.

· The setting up of a Community Company to manage projects is underway.

· The Heritage Group are planning a reprint of their Lostwithiel Guide, subject to funding.

· The Forum AGM will be held on 15^th September.

Cheese and Wine evening (30 September)

The aim of the evening is to raise funds for LBG to purchase more lights to decorate the town at Christmas. Everybody is invited to the evening, not just members of the Business Group.

A subcommittee to arrange food was formed. Action – MH, LA, LS

LS to design poster Action LS

If anybody else can help in arranging the event, or can offer a plate of food, then please contact Margaret Hoskin. Offers of raffle prizes would also be most welcome. Please contact the chairman.

Chairman to contact Tesco re glass hire. Action -AB

Taprell House has been booked for the event. Action MH – Complete

Post Meeting Note: Taprell House is no longer available for 30^th September Committee to investigate alternative venue. Action - Committee

Arrangements for Late Night Shopping ( Thursday 16th December)

Possible themes for the event were discussed. e.g. 1920’s theme, or keep the Dickensian theme. People will be asked for their views at the Cheese and Wine evening on 30^th Sept.

The meeting agreed that rather than promote the evening as a late night shopping event it should be run as Lostwithiel’s annual Christmas Celebration evening. Events to start at 6-30 pm with a “switching-on” of the Christmas lights.

Voluntary organisations in the town to be asked if they wish to participate in the evening. Action MH

Christmas trees. - Chairman to contact JM about arrangements. Action AB

Review of responses to “business concerns” questionnaire

The Chairman thanked businesses who had responded to the questionnaire. Details summarised below:-

Concern	Comment / Action Proposed
Parking in town (most frequently mentioned concern)	The Town Forum has a Working Group looking at Transport and Parking. If any member of LBG wishes to join this Group they should contact the Forum Office. The views of Business Group members will be passed to the Town Forum at their next meeting.
Promotion and support of new business ventures	Many support agencies already exist to support new businesses. Town Forum organised an event in May to encourage new ventures. Links section on Business Group web pages will be expanded to include more agencies
Possible closure of Town toilet	Letter received by LBG from Town Council suggests it is unlikely that toilet will close.
Poor public transport	Improvements are key actions in Town Plan (See page 75 of Town Plan)
Limited opening of TIC at weekends	LBG committee will raise topic with LCA committee
Confusing signage in town	Environment Group may have investigated this. KS to check with Peter Best
Lack of promotion of town by South West Tourism and Cornwall Tourist Board	KS to investigate services provided by CTB and SW Tourism
Decline in number of visitors to town.	LBG aiming to raise profile of businesses in town via internet directories and web sites.

Other comments included lack of a Hardware store, litter and general state of town, increased insurance costs, rise in gas & electricity prices and concern about over development of Parade Square.

AOB

The meeting thanked Tim and Nicky Read of Tredethick Farm Cottages for supplying sunflowers to the shops in town.

Food and drink businesses in town are reminded of the opportunity to obtain publicity during British Food Fortnight running from 18th Sept - 3rd Oct 2004. (See www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk )

The meeting closed at 9-50 pm

Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 20^th October 2004 at 8 pm in Muffins 32 Fore St, Lostwithiel