MINUTES OF MEETING

Date Weds 20th February 2008 At La Fontana, Bourne

In Attendance: Jane Good, James North, Shirley Cliff, Paul Clark, Ian Richards, John Lawrence, Mel Stubbs, Stephanie Romaine, Amanda Stoneman, Sue Hagan, Tara Thorpe.

1. Welcome by Chairman, pleased to see so many faces.

2. Apologies Pete Squires

3. Tresurers Report – nothing new as invoices for membership monies just going out. A new detailed account analysis for last year’s accounts was handed out.

4. Enviromentally Friendly Bags – Tara had an email which she passed round with an article on it regarding the town of Modbury who are already plastic bag free. Tara reported that Clare Good had pointed in the direction of grants available from the district council. Tara has enquired about the possibility of a grant but is awaiting a return call w/c 25th Feb as the lady is on leave. If a grant can be obtained the aim will be to supply every household in Bourne with a cotton bag. Tara also reported that Rainbow are willing to help our campaign, probably not with sponsorship but by handing out their own bags in town for the day- this way surrounding villagers can come into town to collect a bag. Mel Stubbs suggested running a competition for a slogan for the bags, Paul Clark said he could do this through The Local – all agreed. The competition will be open to all ages, entries will be in for the next meeting. Tara suggested setting a target date but it was decided that we should wait to see if we could obtain a grant first. Tara suggested a sticker for shop windows for those who participate. John Lawerence read out two letters, one which was sent to the residents of Modbury & one from a lady in Deeping which are very help – John to email/send to Tara. Amanda said that Eastern Packaging supply completely biodegradable bags. Amanda suggested that initially, shops should ask whether the shopper requires a bag, instead of just giving them out. Tara to write to larger multiple stores to ask for support.

5. Easter Egg Hunt & Forthcoming Events – Easter egg hunt to run from Friday 21st March (Good Friday) to Saturday 5th April, Jane Good has leaflets, Jane will ask Maria/Sam for pictures of eggs. Tara to get a larger Easter Egg from Cash & Carry as one big prize. The Easter Egg hunt is open to all paid up members on a first paid basis. Bourne In Bloom & Misplaced article to run as usual, date to follow. Amanda Stoneman suggested a match the baby picture to the shop owner, Paul Clarke said he could run this in The Local, possibly to run the beginning of May, also a dress the scarecrow competition to run possibly in October.

6. Insurance & Bank Account – Swintons currently supply the chambers public liability insurance, Tara to obtain a policy & get quotes from elsewhere before renewing, Jane Good suggested using a member. The Chamber bank account is currently held with the Nat West, who were asked to join last year but refused. It was suggested to ask again if they would join, if not to move our account to a member’s bank.

7. Christmas Festival – Provisionally booked for Sunday 30th November, with the light switched on as a finale. Shirley Cliffe to take the date, & the suggestion for the light switch on to the town council. The Sunday times to be 11am – 4pm, depending on the times the council grant the road closure to & from. Ian Richards suggested also doing a late shopping night. Sue Hagan said that 30th November was the start of Advent & suggested running an Advent week finishing with the late night shopping on Friday 5th December closing at 8pm – all agreed, depending on confirmation of dates. Tara to contact council re road closure & Ian Bland re Corn Exchange for grotto & craft fair. Sue Hagan suggested having a tree from the Chamber in the Methodist Church Tree Festival. Tara asked if a charity could be advertised for to run the grotto.

8. BTCPC – James North attended a meeting on 13th Feb, representing the chamber, Shirley Cliffe also attends the meetings representing Bourne Town Council. The meetings are chaired by Norman Stroud and are also attended by the police, community groups and people from SKDC. Ivan Fuller who’s job it is to run the partnership has £15,000 allocated to spend on Bourne town centre, there is £6,000 left in the budget for this year which will be spend on railing by the water down Church Walk, next years monies to be confirmed. Other monies have been spent on tidying the Bus Station & the unsightly area by the side of the Masons Arms, a shopwatch scheme run by the police had been supported, it has funded the cinema in the Corn Exchange & is supporting an anti-litter campaign. James reported that Ivan was very welcoming & that they seem to have a lot going on. The town centre development is to be complete by 2012.

9. Any Other Business – It was reported that the police have part funding for the Shopwatch scheme, Graeme Parrott has been trying to get interest, his plan is for shops to share a radio making costs very low. It was agreed that there was not enough interest, and that a ring round list could be drawn up as an alternative, as this has been done in the past & worked. Open Meeting – we need to hold some open meetings to involve all members, there will be one regarding the bag scheme, as & when we get to that point, Ivan Fuller has also offered to speak at a meeting. Any members with any other ideas please contact any committee member.

10. Meeting declared closed – at 9pm. Next meeting Monday 31st March 2008, at Smiths, 7.30pm.