West Byfleet Business Association
2nd October 2014
Attendees
Pauline Hedges, Mark Fuller, (John Ashcroft), Yve Birks, John & Christine Morrison; Gary Elson, Stella McMillan, Oliver, Ron Enticott; (Roland Nevett), Noel Richardson, Christine Osbourne, Mark Allard; Juliette Price
Apologies received from: Catherine Richardson
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting
Minutes of the meeting held 4th September 2014
Matters Arising
Rod Stewart’s Tribute Band Event
£1,877 on the night 50th birthday generated £310 at the Bring and Buy so £2,000 to the Hospice and with Scope and Sue Ryder received a donation. 60s DJ, original owner arrived. Great atmosphere
Stella’s fish and chips were amazing. Stopped selling tickets at 150 told 200, but after 70 no seats. Few lessons learnt – tickets for food.
Mcmillan Coffee Morning at the Social Club raised £414 raised on the coffee morning.
Book of Vouchers
If we could have a small introduction from businesses 5/6 sentences from those interested and email a photo, or branding logo and then it can be put together. Send to Mark Allard. Working really well in Farnham. Need to have it in the next couple of weeks – by the end of October – no cost to anyone. Thanks Mark
Pyramid Cascade System.
We have the information, Boots and Waitrose will not be involved due to the potential volume. Mainly for independents. Everyone agreed a good idea Christine and Pauline to meet. Local police can be involved.
West Byfleet LI:VE 2014
Finances – some still outstanding. Nothing more to report. Sheerwater School interested in providing their school band next year.
Christmas Lights
Oliver reported that monies are being received at a steady pace running total of £1110 – no lights yet. There is still the £334 in fund for Christmas Lights. £1700 potential. With regards the Council input GE said that there were some lights from Victoria Way last year and are trying to trace them via Douglas Spinks. Permission will be sought to see if they could be used. Lamp post style. To pay for them to be fitted it would cost £3,000. With regards the stationary trees can put lights on these. People at West Lodge have donated monies. Trees are a better option, far less expensive. Could use an approved contractor to put the lights on by Woking Borough Council. Need to establish whether we can have the lights before we can go further. Originally there were 12 lamp posts. Gary will be speaking to the person responsible for decorations in Woking who will know the costs. Secondly, will chase Richard regarding the Victoria Way lights. Permission has to be obtained from Surrey County Council. Residents Association need to be approached for a contribution. Pauline reported that they are very happy to give the money, but need to know the costs. Gary said he’d get an answer by the end of the week. By next meeting Oliver would have established the Christmas Tree Light situation. Letters need to be out by the end of October? Gary asked for people to identify four/five trees to light up. Ron Enticott was given a list of all of the donations already banked £150 worth of cheques and cash.
Planning Issues
Ward Boundary changes.
A petition has been raised in the area – a lot of people did not think they would be able to qualify for schools. They will not vote at all for the next election. Old Avenue/Woodlands Avenue if you have an objection to West Byfleet being split into three with nine councilors. Boundary Commission ignored all the information sent to them from the residents and councilors. Just ring fenced a map. West Byfleet will not change as a village, but will have three councilors for West Byfleet.
An explanation was given by Gary Elson in how the Boundary Review Commission worked.
Other planning issue is the green belt review, but Tom Hickman (West Hall) has asked to speak with Neighbourhood Forum. Cannot meet at West Hall so paying for a room at St Johns Church. No room for 5 people to meet. No planning permission given until 2022.
Sheer House move – three planning applications still in place; double storey block /extra floors on top of the tower/double storey block over Londis – still deciding over Londis. Realistically it is an empty office block. Either residents or flats, or it is empty – or a hotel survey starting County wide survey being done by the Country Council. West Byfleet could be an alternative to Woking. Business does not wish to pay the rates demanded around here. A question was raised with regards Cubes responsibility to maintain the building.
General conversation regarding parking in West Byfleet and traffic issues. Three accidents in West Byfleet. Geoff McManus will be invited to the next meeting to discuss this. Public question at the next public meeting. Chairman of the meeting has to document the meeting and has to respond publically.
Membership
We have Mr. Martin from Phoenix House, West Byfleet Health Centre, £150 for Christmas Lights £25 membership. A – B Travel – Gulf Bookers, West Lodge ,£100 for lights, Innovate services. Form on the website In order to be put on the WBBA website. Bill Carey – garage – not sure if he is on the system yet? Question raised as to encourage direct debit, or standing order. Mark recommended ‘Go Card less’ connected to RBS. Explanation made whereby standing orders are better. 30- 35 members.
Treasurers Report
£689 – £200 paid for Christmas Lights £400 to West Byfleet Live . Subs have come in from various members (including Desire Furnishings/Waitrose and others which means we now have £740 which is ignoring the separate Christmas Lights account.
Welcome note will in future be sent by Pauline to the new members. Suggest a link to the website to be put into the email / letter.
Woking Chamber
Had a meeting and very pleased with West Byfleet Business Association. Can more independents join the independent retailers group – Paul Webster. Richard Smith from Eltons is convinced that when he ran the association that we would get the same membership as those paying full membership in the Chamber giving the rights to advertise as the other members. However, it is the association, not the individual. Pauline pays a separate sub to Woking Chamber. Richard feels he should get the same rights (£175.00). Cancelled his membership with Woking Chamber as he felt he shouldn’t need to pay for the full membership.
Basically, indeed we as WBBA members are affiliated to the Woking Chambers of Commerce this means anyone of us can attend any of the Woking Chamber Events at Woking Chamber membership rates. However, we do not get the opportunity to advertise our businessese as we are not a full members, but affiliated. Also as Woking Chambers are affiliated on the Surrey Chambers – again we can attend the Surrey Chambers events at the member’s rate. £375.00. At the next Woking Chambers this will be explained fully. If you wish to advertise to all Woking Chambers Members (over 200), all the businesses can be listed in the membership Year book. The Year book is an almost impossible task – it takes about four months to generate. If there is a list for WBBA one person is responsible. John did put in a separate section in that Year book for WBBA. Getting the information then was difficult as the information is submitted in different ways. The Minutes Secretary will create a WBBA database for storing the information required which will make it easier to submit.
Cobbler Shop – Ian Pitwell – would like to see West Byfleet flourish like it used to. The London House Patisserie will be coming and they will also be occupying Trevi as an up market restaurant and wine bar.
Mark is looking for a vacant office to operate from for two people. Brompton Mix (performed at West Byfleet LI:VE is issuing an EP.
It was confirmed that we have agreed £25 as next years; subscription.
Gary Elson – Green belt review – public cannot comment at present. Doesn’t say there is building on the plots being released from 2022 – 2040. 3,000 houses at the Wisley airfield. It is far ahead, but there will be a public consultation later on in the year.
Stella raised the fact that the Social Club had submitted application for planning permission which had been refused GE will look into it.
John – postponed the magazine as has been working on the Surrey Means Business – PDF with interactive links to take people through to web address. Surrey Means Business has progressed interactively. This means that he can get much more into it and build a database where everyone can have an entry – stories circulated every two months. Talking to local newspapers and proposed that were west Byfleet to have a window of the year at Christmas which Apples and pears won last year and send that to the SMB. Whether association wishes to do this. Number of other traders were miffed they were not mentioned. Stories will get published. Woking News and Mail can do a whole page feature for those businesses taking part. .
Thanks to Stella for hosting.
Date of next meeting 6th November at Waitrose