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Minutes of AGM 16th May 2011
Chudleigh Business Guild - Minutes of AGM on Monday 16th May 2011 - Chudleigh Town Hall
Committee Present :-
Stephen Biggs, Kate McCormick, Dan Simpson, Andrew Mason.
Total Attendance 38 Members. ( 24 individual businesses/voting memberships).
Apologies - Mike Trigg , Scott Richards Solicitors, Debbie Payne, Sawdye & Harris, Eric Miles, Justina Robinson, Eddie Haws, Jonathan Forey, Mike Underwood, Gillian & Glen Ogden, Gary Mann,
1.Meeting opened by Stephen Biggs:- Thanked everyone for their attendance.
2. Minutes of last AGM passed.
3. Overview 2010-11 & looking forward.
i)Stephen Biggs thanked all the Committee members for their work over the year & particular thanks to those who have stepped down over the year & not standing for re-election - Jane McCabe, Liz Woods, Kevin Fuller, Mark Hayman & Kate McCormick,who though stepping down from the Vice Chair position has volunteered to help with the organising of the Variety concert & Xmas Fayre. Eric Miles & Alan Brunton were thanked for their help with preparation of the Guild Directory. Members were reminded that all the Committee were volunteers and anyone that can offer an insight or help directly in any capacity to please come forward.
ii) What direction is the Guild heading in? The replies received from the questionnaire sent out were clear – the 2 important things to members were the Guild Website & the Guild Directory - which is about to go to press, everything else including bi-monthly meetings were of lesser importance. . We aim to promote business in Chudleigh via the Website & the Guild Directory, and organise the Xmas Fayre for the local community.
Thanks were given to Richard Keeling for helping arrange the Select Committee visit to Chudleigh. Graham Wall for his work on the Masterplan. & The Town council for the installation of the planters around the town.
iii) Steven Biggs proposed that the name of the Guild was changed to “Chudleigh Business Network”. As this more reflected what we do.There were several members that didn’t like the idea of a name change. Other ideas were – “The Chudleigh Business Promotion Group” & “Chudleigh Business Association” , it was agreed that such a change should be formally put to the full membership. The question was asked why recent meetings had been cancelled – the reason being that despite requesting replies for the bi-monthly meeting advice emails so we could gauge likely attendance we only got one or two replies this couldn’t justify the room hire charges etc. It was asked whether members were receiving emails, & also pointed out that not all members were on email – We are going to cont inue using email as our primary communication method on the grounds of ease & cost , however will post out essential communication if requested & will look in to possibility of having a central location displaying essential notices. The minutes will also be posted on the guild website.
Richard Keeling raised the opportunity offered by Teignbridge D.C. of having free/reduced car parking charges. Stephen Biggs then asked for an indication of what free parking period people would like :- 20 mins – 3 votes, ½ hr – 15 votes, 1hr – 4 votes. Then said the Guild would hope to see this happen but that TDC has been disappointing in its ability to follow through on initiatives. Richard Keeling said that free Sunday parking is currently being discussed & that he would forward our support to the District Council for a free parking period.
Business of the Year 2011 – Awarded to Gina Sherwood for “UK Get Active”
Reports From Guild Officers
Alice Boston – Membership Secretary – Membership currently 77 , 10 new members, 25 non-renewals ( 5 due to closure of businesses)
Andrew Mason – Secretary – nothing to report.
Andrew Mason – Treasurer -
Acct balance £4709.48
Nationwide Bank Account May 2010 Balance £1421.10
May 2011 Balance £4573.89
Petty Cash £ 40.59
Cash on hand £ 95.00
Monies Owed (outstanding Directory Advert Payments) £375.00
Membership Renewals £1090.00 Directory Adverts £2325.00
Xmas Fayre Monies Raised £2751.27 Expenses £2310.69
Liabilities -Guild Directory Print Costs ( without any allowance for any additional layout costs) £1698.00 with house to house delivery costs of £250.
Kate McCormick – Vice Chair – There have been layout problems with ads for Guild Directory due to many different formats being submiited or requests to use ‘ last years’ ad . Next year adverts will have to be provided by members. Distribution should happen in 2 -3 weeks. .
Thanks to Gina Sherwood & Dan Simpson for help with the variety Concert & Xmas Fayre. The History group were also thanked for door to door distribution of the Fayre Programmes The Variety concert last year was a great success. This year’s event is on 19th Nov. In the Community Hall, will be a similar format to last year - not only has Tank Sherman agreed to return but has also promised to bring some friends along . The Xmas Fayre from which had great feedback last year will be on Thursday 8th December this year. A committee is currently being put together to organise/run this year’s event.
Dan Simpson – Website – Not everyone has a full page entry on the website , please contact me with a write up of your business + upto 3 jpg photos , so I can set up your page – access can then be given so you can edit your own page. There is a news section on the Website – if you have anything relevant pls contact me .
Election of Guild Officers
· Chair - Stephen Biggs 24 votes
· Vice Chair – Not filled
· Membership Secretary – Alice Boston 26 votes
· Treasurer – Andrew Mason 24 votes
· Public Relations – Not filled
· Secretary - Andrew Mason 25 votes
· Website – Dan Simpson. 27 votes
5.AOB .
I) Lord Clifford (Clifford Estates) gave a presentation on the “ Expressway” light industrial/business units built by the A38. The 1st 3 units are completed only 1 unit remains to be let , phase 2 which offers 3 more units is in the planning stage -if interested please contact the Estate Office on 01626 852179.
ll) Declan Shanahan –Local Business Manager for Natwest – spoke about what he can offer businesses he is happy to call on anyone interested @ home or work contact him on -
lll) BIBBY’S Chartered Accountants are offering a free of charge financial mentoring scheme please contact Michael Trigg or Sally his secretary on 01626 853625.
lv) Richard Keeling said that the Guild needs to move forward – guest speakers attract members in Stephen Biggs highlighted need for support from membership for the bi-monthly meetings & asked if anyone present had ideas for speakers they would want to hear. Debbie Keeling said there was a need to ask the membership for their views. Kate McCormick circuelated a questionnaire asking for members suggestions for speakers they would want to hear & suggestions of people they knew
v). Stephen Biggs thanked everyone for their attendance then formally closed the meeting.
Members were then invited to help themselves to refreshments:-
Cheese donated by Matt Harris of ‘THE DEVONSHIRE DELI’
Wine donated by Andy Mason of ‘Chudleigh DIY’