The Meeting commenced at the TIC where Miss Chipperfield gave an informative talk on the scope and plans for the TIC.





MINUTES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING
20th April 2005


Present: Tina Aedo (Chair): Sylvia Webber (Secretary): Andrew Real (Treasurer): Joan Fuller: Colin Donelan: : Bob Buskin (Vice President) Chris Byrne-Jones; Pat Booth Peter & Jane Shaw: Mike Griffiths:
Cllr Jim Knight: Jim Piggott:

Apologies: Sara Shaw

The Meeting commenced at the TIC where Miss Chipperfield gave an informative talk on the scope and plans for the TIC. then relocated to Youth Club.

1. Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and thanked Chris for taking the Chair at the last meeting.

2. The Minutes of the last meeting were approved.

3 The outside of the TIC was discussed and the lack of funds to pay for re-varnishing etc and it was decided to offer a working party to improve the appearance with several volunteers and EDDC was to be asked if this would be approved. The Seaton Town Clerk was upset that it had not been put before the Town Council first but Chris B-J said there was no point raising this until we were sure we had a working party and the EDDC would approve the volunteer effort subject to a Risk Assessment. The new owner of the Hobby Shop, Chris, Colin, Andrew & Jim Knight were all prepared to help and Peter Shaw was going to advise of materials required.

4. Tina said she had been invited to the Axminster C of C meeting and invited Bob to accompany her, which was agreed. Time and date to be advised.

5 Due to Bob’s hospitalisation there had not been a Fedcoc meeting and Bob explained what Fedcoc was to the new members.

6. Treasurer reported we are in funds to £500. and 8 subs paid so far.

7. Thanks to Daphne Harman-Young for distributing 120 St George flags most of which were used. Jo from the Dress shop dressed her window over all in red and white and the Vault member of staff paraded in costume on horse back which was a surprise meaning that it had not been publicised unfortunately.

8. The Bampton Chamber of Commerce brochure informed their town that a Gold award meant an increase of 50% in tourism and to encourage support. The Partnership with the Town Council was very difficult but Chris had put out 35 tubs last year and was planning 50 with colour theme rather than random the cost of which equated to £20 each making the Chamber contribution £1000.




9. The next Posters out would be welcoming the Devonshire Association meeting in Seaton from the 1st – 5th June 2005 with 120 delegates expected. Chris mentioned the events planned, if any one wished to joint them, in particular the visit to Honeyditches site at which Tony Burgess would give a talk.

10 Bob had written to Co-Op Land Management and they have replied saying they would look into the state of the building – it has been empty for five years with no offers being accepted and the flats above falling into disrepair where housing was needed. Cllr Jim Knight mentioned that the Conservation Officer was now involved. It was felt by the Tina and various members that the building would make a very sensible Indoor Market such as those in Sidmouth & Exmouth.

Break for Coffee provided by the Youth Club

11 Letter of thanks for the talk should be sent to Karen. Chris advised Cllr Jim Knight that the Chamber members had offered to buy and hold stock for the TIC – Peter Thomas having a great deal of experience and useful contacts in this area which would provide a useful income.

12 Nothing the report from the Press representative. Photographs of the launch of the Millennium booklet had been sent but not used. The News Letter to go out shortly prior to Summer Season.

13 Informative Meetings – The TIC meeting had been useful and Chris suggested that providing the talk by Tony Burgess was suitable we should try to arrange a visit by the Chamber as this was the next major development for Seaton in the future.

14 Lights – Nothing from Torbay Lighting yet re next year but Joan said the fund raising was going well. Chair asked Town Council about funding for this year which Cllr Jim advised £1000. had been set aside. Application should go in September for next year.
Individual trees were £45 through Torbay and we were to ask about costs for a banner from Woolworth to Pastimes and lamp post sockets in Harbour Road

15 Millennium – The local Fisherman’s Association had asked which there was anything they could do for the Millennium. Peter and Jane Shaw said they were not happy with the advert that they had paid for in the Millennium Booklet and Colin was going to speak to them later as half their advert had been left out due to shortage of space.

16 AOB Chris advised that there had been a complaint over the naming of a re-furnished shop in the Burrow, but there was nothing the Chamber could do and the shop owner would soon notice trade falling off if others were offended by the new name..

Tina had been approached by the British Legion for support in their plans for VE day Thanks to the Veterans – 9th July with BBQ, Table Tops, Darts and Skittles and a 1940’s fancy dress buffet. Tina has been asked to their next meeting for more information.







The question of toilets being open for longer hours was bought up and was the suggested self-help by Sara Randle-Johnson at the AGM meeting as there have been several instances of obscene behaviour in and around the town and Police Officers calling on the Mariners Hotel asking to use their facilities. However, it was felt that the toilets were already vandalised enough just being open to the present time and it was, therefore agreed that we should write to Devon County Council.

The Radio Link was working well and it was possible that this could be extended to contain incidents of “public nuisance” when the new community Police Officer was on full time.

Noise from the Youth in the Town centre was discussed as was the noise from the Grove and the advice was to phone the EDDC Environment number and ask them to attend on every occasion and perhaps by drip, drip, drip the licence may be revised. Chris explained how the different types of Speaker set ups created a different noise level both in and outside and may be the Grove needs to move forward to the new system.

17 Next Meeting – 25th May at 7.30 - Trotters