Minutes of the Meeting of the WBBA Management Committee Meeting – 20th January 2014
Present: to be confirmed.
Pauline Hedges – Chair | Catherine Richardson – Vice Chair | John Morrison – Membership Secretary | Shani Orchard – Minutes Secretary, Visitors – Mark Fuller, Noel Richardson, later in the meeting Roland Nevett.
Welcome and apologies
Pauline welcomed everyone; apologies had been received from the Treasurer, Ron Enticott.
Attendees:
John Morrison (JM)| Pauline Hedges (PH) | Catherine Richardson (CR) | Noel Richardson (NR) |Mark Fuller (MF) | Shani Orchard (SO)
To commence the meeting it was established that the Management Committee should consist of the following
Management Committee members Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Minutes Secretary. There were two additional WBBA members who were in attendance as guests: Noel Richardson | Mark Fuller and Roland Nevett (who joined the meeting at 7.00 pm).
Membership: JM felt that originally the plan was to start this push for membership earlier. A letter is required for all businesses. Suggestion was made for a covering letter to go with the invoices to state what has been achieved to date by the WBBA. A similar letter would also need to be issued to potential new members.
Membership Fees: It was confirmed that for the £25 also ‘paid’ for an affiliated membership to Woking Chambers of Commerce/Surrey Chambers of Commerce worth £300.
Flyer/Letter: After discussion it was agreed that JM | NR and MR would meet to generate a flyer/letter with the WBBA logo to go in with the invoices and invitation letter to West Byfleet Traders using the list that PH had. This flyer/letter would have a list of what has been achieved to date and the events planned ahead. Emphasising the affiliation to Woking & Surrey Chambers of Commerce. In addition stating the fact that the WBBA website is a good media for advertising for special events etc. MF confirmed that Website advertising costs £5.00 per month.
Within the flyer/letter the subjects that the WBBA address/discuss – the fact that the monthly breakfast meetings enable the members to cover local issues such as planning, parking, local events and an opportunity to meet, or have access to the local councilors who are open to hear from the local traders as to what is affecting them and their businesses. Additionally it is an opportunity to hear from the local council and ultimately it is community involvement which raises the Trader’s profile.
Action: MF | NR |JM
It was agreed to continue to use the current email address list. Then to update regularly to include any
newcomers.
Action: Minutes Secretary
Membership Invoicing: This should be done by the end of January 2014. The membership year is 1 January – December 2014. Fees to remain at £25.00 for the year.
Action: The Treasurer – Ron Enticott
Agreed that the Management Committee should meet on a quarterly basis.
The AGM for the WBBA is due to take place in March and it was decided by the Management Committee to arrange this meeting for Wednesday 19th March at 6.30 pm originally it was thought that this could take place at the West Byfleet Social Club, however, the update (at the time of writing) is that it is not available on this date and as a consequence, GfK Retail & Technology have offered their Board Room at Sheer House.
Action: Minutes Secretary
The meeting closed at 6.55 pm.
Addendum:
Christine Osbourne had requested monies from Waitrose for the Christmas tree which was duly paid by Noel at this meeting.
Cheque is awaiting from Ron for outstanding dues.
Roland Nevett joined the meeting at 7.00 pm and as a consequence the planning issues were discussed:
The planning permission for cladding on Sheer House is outstanding. Felt no action required as it can only enhance the building.
It is almost certain that Sheer House will be converted into flats. Following on from this there was an
Application on 30th November and validated on the 11th January that there will be a two storey block on top of the Londis Block 8 x two bedroom flat and four x one bedroom flats. There was also a further application in respect of Sheer House on 16th December also validated on 11th January for another two storey structure on the top of Sheer House. Replica planning permission, but for phases of development for 6 x two bedroom and 6 x one bedroom flats. Potentially block on stilts on top of the car park. It is felt that perhaps Cube is wanting to get the planning permission to sell the building on. Roland felt that as we are in the Housing boom which may go pop in two or three years a developer will need to affect this development quickly 12 – 18months to produce final product. After which there is likely to be a bursting bubble of housing market.
We have never taken any decision as to whether we think the addition of the flats is a good or bad thing when we submitted our objections with regards the Sheer House change of use. The change of use meant that we would lose at least 250 footfall in West Byfleet trade. Secondary reason was that we felt it would prevent any planned any long term redevelopment of West Byfleet ongoing – and will be just left with poor infrastructure of a building. How is West Byfleet retail structure being regenerated. Can only refuse or approve application. There is a need for housing and if this is not provided by Woking Council they will be told to double the provision in the area if not produced imminently.
The Neighbourhood forum should submit a Development plan for West Byfleet. This forum is meeting soon for this purpose.
At this point the Minutes Secretary had to leave so no further notes were taken. However, this subject will be discussed further at the next WBBA meeting on Thursday 6th February 2014 at 7.30 am West Byfleet Social Club.