Attendees
Pauline Hedges, Mark Fuller, (John Ashcroft), Yve Birks, John & Christine Morrison; Oliver, Roland Nevett, Christine Osbourne, Mark Saunders
Apologies received from: Noel Richardson, Juliette Price, Stella McMillan, Gary Elson
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting
Minutes of the meeting held 4th September 2014
Matters Arising
Book of Vouchers
No update received?
Pyramid Cascade System.
A ‘grapevine’ phone system has been devised amongst some independants which is working. However, more detail of the Police system will be shared later in the meeting.
West Byfleet LI:VE 2014
Finances – last Thursday £2,137 received from the Council. Gary will ensure form completed this year for next. Council will continue to support us at West Byfleet LI:VE. Final demand from Fonix Debt Collectors regarding the money – have taken legal advice (free from Woking Chambers solicitor) cannot understand why this has happened with no contract. Debt Collection agency just fire off letters. Finally heard from Fonix – looking into their telephone records – they have had half their money. £1,300.
Treasurers Report
Money received from Sue Ryder. No report due to absence of Treasurer
Christmas Lights
Gary wants to know what is going on. We can’t afford for the council to be involved. We have £1500 money in the kitty. No input from Residents’ Association, no confirmation back from the council either. Apologies to Gary as we were also waiting for Bourne Valley with whom we are having a meeting on Monday to see what we can get from the funds.
For lamp post lights it would cost £1200 per lampposts so we could only afford one!! Bourne Valley will still do the Christmas Trees around the village. With the kitty could have large lit trees strategically placed in the village, but they will not last. Paul from Bournes will walk around the village on Monday with the committee. Whatever is decided and purchased can re-use next year. This is a start. To date £1160 rose aside from the £380. Although there may be more as £404 is also in the ‘bank’. All agreed to spend a maximum of £2,000. Two trees outside Blush and icicles around the conservation area and up to Apples and Pears. The sub group will arrange accordingly. This means that they will light the gateway to the village (quote Roland)
Saturday 6th December there will be three/four charity stalls/Rock Choir (meeting at 1.30 pm today), West Byfleet Infant and Junior Choirs in the afternoon. Butchers doing pulled pork, Charity Stall outside Hair Mechanix, the Brownies from West Byfleet selling Christmas Decorations, Blush, Christmas Wreaths. Papers coming at 11.00 am. There is a rumor that Naomi will be doing Christmas Grotto although this is not confirmed. Jonathon Lord (MP) to be invited.
Next Christmas meeting will be at Taylors at 5.30 pm 12th November.
Woking News and Mail – a column required for West Byfleet and Pauline has been approached to be the author – she has asked for as pictures as many as possible – totally free. 250 words every Friday so need information from WBBA and it will result in free advertising – it’s like winning the lottery and putting us on the map!
John has spoken to John Davis as well he has asked specifically for business stories on the business page. One concern that the business stories are not adverts. Need stories – send to John and he will co-ordinate the articles.
Website
142 visitors last month – search through Google.
Planning Issues
Sheer House
Have not been able to speak to the council, but we still have the conversion of Sheer House being held up due to the condition of the original planning consent – only to be used for offices. This is what the council tried to do with the first set of application. 1st July been sitting on it. Therefore, a decision should be taken rapidly.
Question asked regarding Cubes being responsible for the upkeep of Sheer House. No obligation whatsoever to maintain a building beyond making it safe. However, occupational leases will know whether they are obligated as your leases will know what they obligations are.
Green belt – not a matter for WBBA as we are totally unaffected by this and if population increases it is a benefit to us. Separate meeting 1st December at St Johns Church for the residents.
There is West Byfleet forum this is important for the WBBA. West Byfleet neighbourhood forum formed a year ago is a semi quasi legal powers which is strange as an unelected party it will have the right to grant limited planning consent and the power to make the council give order to allow people to build in this area. Extraordinary powers for a non-elected body. When there are planning applications cone to appeal Planning expectorant has taken note of the Neighbourhood plan finalizing their decision on that basis over and above the borough councils preexisting plans.
Over 200 people and it are absolutely free to join. PH a joint Chairperson. Strong voice on how the village to develop. Policy in respect of the commercial aspect of West Byfleet.
There are various aspects – community schools churches leisure, housing transport open spaces and leisure. Questionnaire which will look at all of these delivered to every single house in West Byfleet – every resident. The business questionnaire will be hand delivered to 150 businesses in West Byfleet formulated by Roland, only asking questions on the businesses.
General questionnaire actually asking do you shop in the village why/why not. We cannot have too long a questionnaire. Byfleet did theirs – 4 pages and received 1,000 replies. They have had huge issues with Murrays Lane and gypsies. Come together on an issue. In wB we don’t have a major issue to pull the village together. One page document – need people to assist with its delivery. Camphill industrial estate. Juliette and myself will working from home Woking Borough Council see the Business questionnaire being core to the plan. When talk about WB only think of the shopping central. Vital test cases where the will of the people has been carried. AGM end of November at St Johns Church a copy of the invite will be sent – very important to contribute as businesses. Huge step forward in giving back to people the power to speak about their own space.
Noland circulated the supplementary planning document of the plan of the borough 58 page onwards a very intelligent look at the centres outside of the town centre focusing on Wets Byfleet highlighting good points and the problem area. It shows what can be done in redevelopment in west bylfeet to meet modern needs in respect of businesses/retail – vital that this is read. This will give you an idea of where we might be able to go. Brilliant initiative from the council.
Membership
Membership from Sue Ryder. Losing Eve (scope). Wine Rack and the Bank need an email please.
Woking Chamber
Think we are absolutely wonderful what we are doing is quite stunning. Councillor in Frimley wanting Pauline to set up similar in Frimley.
Business Security
Mark Saunders – communication network. Many companies can provide such security. Surrey Police has a basic data base – Active Citizens system 15,500 contacts. It is an email system to send alerts for specific topics and any crimes or any suspicious activity gets sent – messages sent daily eg a prolific shop lifter. Every Thursday shop lifter. This has been reported. Boots lose £900 a day. Regular losses , crime going down/ shop lifting up. Dealers are now going round the back sifting through the bins. Suspect descriptions/ detail and that gets circulated. Forms to be completed and your details can be stored on the data base. Ring around system in the village now. Form will be uploaded as a link on the WBBA. The forms will be electronically sent to Mark for the website. Article in the newspaper. Thanked Mark for his contribution. Such a good system to be able to promote as West Byfleet as a safe place to be.
AOB
Careys Garage has been sold. The loss of another long established trader.
Thanks to Mark for putting Carmel Snow on the WBBA site. Discussion took place of putting the Thought of putting the questionnaire online. Mark and Pauline looking at it – hoping to do this. Carmel Snow reciprient of the business questionnaires. Apples and Pears will be issuing loyalty cards.
Thanks to Waitrose for their hospitality
Back to Stellas next month – West Byfleet Social Club – 4th December 2014.