Minutes of the Meeting held at West Byfleet Social Club
on Thursday 1st May 2014 at 7.30 am.
Present:
Pauline Hedges – Chair
John Ashcroft, Roland Nevett, Oliver Lodge, Stella McMillan, Gary Elson, Noel Richardson, Christine Osbourne, Christine Morrison, John Morrison, James, Mark Fuller, Ron Enticott, Juliette, Shani Orchard
Welcome and apologies
PH welcomed everyone and reported that apologies had been received from Catherine Richardson, Richard Smith, Jessica Maybanks.
Minutes of the meeting May 2014 were approved, no amendments
Matters Arising
It was reported that the previous Heather Fosters will be a kitchen fitting showroom
Shop frontage of Waitrose has been updated and three coffee machines installed.
A discussion took place regarding parking, which will not be reviewed until 2015 despite there being four levels of parking charges. Although in the meeting it was recorded that Pauline had written to Geoff McManus regarding the parking at the time there had been no reply. However, since, a response has been received which is attached to these minutes
WEST BYFLEET LI:VEs
No police presence as it is not high risk. There is a meeting this morning to discuss the Saturday Evening Sponsorship from SNAP – asked PH how much is needed to run the event. They raise the monies and any surplus they keep. Toilets booked. Council Offices have omitted West Byfleet LI:VE on board display in Woking which has been noted by Matt Peachey. Stella has library storytelling, Matt has live bands. PH has a company hiring all the necessary fire extinguishers. Station Officer at Woking Fire Station is sending at least one appliance for all day. Stalls coming in gradually – all coming in together Facebook page and on the WBBA web page. One reason for James attendance – we have the cycle race going through West Byfleet – the County Council keep to promote Ride London event and this has been refused due to competition from other local events and also this is a legacy from the Olympics. PH went to speak to Ride London – James is here to speak about the event. It is the second year of Ride London. Biggest event in the world and raised millions for charities. Date is Sunday 10th August. Have to fit into a spectrum of events in London. This Sunday has been picked to fit around the Commonwealth Games. 24,000 participants taking part. In the afternoon a professional race which is similar to the Tour UK. Road closure at 5.00 am. Events in Central London only. Amateurs approx. 7.30 and 11.15 am peak of cyclists about 9.30/10.30 am. 3-4 hours of solid charity cyclists. Significant change in road closure – this year at 11.45 am road will open fully therefore, event route will be open. The only exception is the professional race rolling closure at 2.20 pm. Restricted access only in the morning.
There will be more business engagement activation along the route. Running a business directory live on the Website 6 weeks before and after. This will be circulated amongst the network of those connected with the event. Gathering interest from businesses in May. Specifically for pubs/restaurants etc. London Marathon scheme. A venue on the route will pair them with a charity and it is used as a charity hub for those cheering etc – community hub. Key point guide for businesses guide leaflet in respect of general planning etc.Prudential Ride / community – business guide will sit at this place. Case studies posters etc. Drop in session (6 in Surrey) dates and locations will be advertised in local newspapers and on the website. Digital question and answer question using social media – twitter/facebook. Couple of weeks time a leaflet will be distributed around the route – million affected, more of a reminder and backed up in July with a Surrey specific message and this will be four weeks before the event. Quickest way to stay up to date, is via an e-news letter a month – six weekly publication. Can add to the distribution.
James from JJ’s American Diner then joined us.
Outside Sheer House there is a Cycle Picture, but as it’s pixled to get a clear view has to stand a way away from it. Information on the picture refers to West Byfleet. General conversation took place with regards the picture. A big thank you to the Woking Borough Council and special thanks to Riette for their sponsorship with regards this picture. Question raised with regards the subway as once again it is looking dirty. It has been scrubbed twice since. Needs cleaning again, but will wait until the weather is better. James offered the water from Coffee Bean for the cleaning nearer the event.
Web Site
Nothing too much to report – bakery attracting a lot of access. Although as they are not a paid up member they have to be removed.
Nicky, is a new member from a company PA Event Organiser. Interested in getting involved in West Byfleet LIVE.
Last year at the LIVE – Nuffield Heath – could run a fixed bike race and a timed race could take place. Christine will go back and talk with them
.
Thanks to Mark for the professionalism of the website.
Planning Issues
RN & PH met with the neighbor hood forum and they will work together in the formation of the development plan. This has quasi legal impacts and once in place is part of the framework that has to be considered by the local authority with regards planning applications. As far as the development plan was concerned we would concentrate on West Byfleet as a Commercial centre and that they would concentrate on the remainder of the neighbor hood area, schools residential development and so on. Certain areas of overlap like infrastrucrure and community facilities like library etc. That in place yesterday went to WBC to understand how they would like to work with us in making sure that the plan is delivered in the right format. They were as much in the dark as we are with regards the format. However, there are two young guys who will be working on it. Douglas Spinks Deputy Chief Executive who is encouraging us. The Council has now said that West Byfleet has very much been on the back burner and now wishing to promote WB as a commercial centre and that will be incorporated within the plan, but will be something that will happen in parallel to some degree. The forum has a drop in this afternoon and will be hoping to gather numerous ideas from the residents etc. as the essential part of this process is taking the community with you and take them into account and their thoughts and comments. When the Drop In is completed Penny Hoskins who runs the forum with Pauline will be collating everything and making sure it comes out in a coherent document. Matt Peachey kept re-iterating that crucial to this is the WBBA – the best focused business association in the borough and wants to work with us for a list of potential sites for office accommodation and retail accommodation so that when businesses approach the council they are prepared with West Byfleet being at the top of the agenda.
Rents are that much cheaper than in Woking and so very positive for West Byfleet. They have not worked with other neighbor hood forums in the same way as with us. Very fortunate in having a councillor who supports us and keeps us at the top of the agenda (Gary Elson). Vacant sites and gossip worth knowing. Lose as many units as are filled. However, Matt Peachey said that we lose 300 people later this year and he is as concerned as WBBA to main the level of day time officer workers. In terms of Sheer House all planning applications have been withdrawn or refused. We see the health of the shopping industry is dependant upon the health of the office workers. Commuters pass through and so very keen to keep an eye of office space and conversion of such. Need to encourage inward investment. At present no publicity that there is an office centre. Question regarding Trevi going to residential – had an application to convert it. Physically it is not an office building, however shop front is protected.
WBC core strategy is that they wish to double the size of – West Byfleet is an amazing secret which we need to promote. Village atmosphere in a concrete block.
Enterprise House is due to have building work for residential purposes. Flower Shop will be having a nail bar.
Membership
Still slow – Blush is a new member, James will become a new member from JJ’s, Nicky on board. Inprint – Campbell Road, Ray Smyth wishes to sign up. Need to email Richard Smith for the window stickers. Butcher hopefully signing up. Wine Rack potential members. Would need to have the year on the sticker. John Ashworth wishes to join as an independent! Haweli has signed up. We now have 24 paid up members. About 27 at the end of the day.
Woking Chamber
PH did not attend, so nothing to report this month.
Retailers Group meeting next week. Mark Fuller cannot attend, John Morrison will be attending.
Treasurers Report
£2,525 bill for Christmas Trees £200.00 short. Waitrose monies taking into account. WBBA said we’d pay for the Charity Shops, but it is felt that highly likely that the cost of the lights £285.00 accounts for the loss. Oliver said that he’d speak with Paul regarding this loss. £900.00 in bank. PH will be submitting an invoice for outstanding bills to be paid. RN suggested that PH should have a
float to cover expenses for West Byfleet LI:VE.
AOB
6th February 2017 West Byfleet village will be 100 years old the school is celebrating its centenary this year???
Mark and PH were invited to Eikon’s Awards Evening sponsored by Sony. There was not a dry eye in the house. The work they do is unbelievable. A Moment in Time – changed when they spoke to Eikon. One particular young lady called Paige commitment to Values, she was ill in hospital and her favourite pop group is One Direction and they were going to visit her that evening.
Mark invited as he does their website. Difference the charity has made to young people’s lives.
Christmas meeting next Wednesday hoping to get sponsors for lights. Buckets collected after the film as in last year. White Lodge will be the charity – six collectors required.
Want to go ahead with the picture on the slate wall of Sheer House, but the photographer wants another commission of £200.00. To make the area more vibrate. Landlords are paying some of the monies, but outstanding £200.00. Christine proposed – Ron seconded. £100.00 will be paid towards the commission for the photographer – Christine will organise the invoices.
John in a position to offer a digital magazine – West Byfleet means business. All businesses represented here. Three aims businesses to keep in touch with each other – anyone going on website to find out what is going on in the association. As the aritciles goes up any business in the area to delve into digital archives to check it out. Features required from the businesses. General concensus to go ahead.