Meetings Minutes: 26 July 2007

Minutes of Grantham Future Board Meeting 27 September 2007

Present

1. Welcome And Apologies

Tim Robinson, Editor of the Grantham Journal, and Duncan Kerr, SKDC Chief Exec, were welcomed to the meeting.

Apologies had been received from Nick Vass and Cllr Nick Craft

2. Minutes Of The Last Meeting

These were agreed as a true record.

3. Grantham Growth Point

Duncan Kerr updated the Board on the Growth Point bid, which was due to be submitted to Government by the Monday following this meeting. Grantham had obviously been perceived by the DCLG as being ripe for growth. Grantham had not previously been allowed to develop to its full potential for example for economy and housing, through misplaced perceptions by outside agencies, and because of its limiting geography. Success with the Growth Point bid would allow this to be put right. The Grantham bid had the advantage of proposals to build on land which had not previously flooded, unlike Newark, and integrates the whole settlement, including Earlsfield, as well as delivering jobs. There were opportunities for national publicity through ‘backing the bid’ and to invite Ministers e.g. Gillian Merron or Yvette Cooper to visit the town.

Discussion points:

• The possibility of a Minister to come and look at the roads was raised. However it was thought that the transport development would follow once the Government gave us the Growth Point Status. The LCC Grantham Transport Study, recently completed, would help.
• High standards of sustainability were sought for example the Government’s intention that all new build houses after 2016 must have a zero carbon footprint. This was a huge technical challenge
• Duncan Kerr had found that people were more supportive of the plans once they understood what was entailed
• The Canal basin development is included as part of the Growth bid.

4. Funding Proposals – Raising The Profile Of Grantham

Lia had been in discussion with Cllrs Craft and Parkin regarding this funding proposal, after which it had been suggested that a way of raising the profile of Grantham in the weeks leading up to Christmas was with free car parking, subsidised by Grantham Future. Discussions ensued, including whether weekday afternoons or Saturdays would be more fruitful, what budget would be required, and the need for effective advertising.

The Board agreed with this suggestion and to set aside £25k to cover the subsidy and marketing and advertising of Grantham this Christmas. Final figures for car parking were due soon.

The Board agreed that a small sub group including Lia, Jackie Smith and Peter Burrows would form to action the spend and delivery of this project between now and Christmas

Action: Lia Ibbotson, Peter Burrows, Jackie Smith

5. Review Of Action Plan

Lia asked Board members to consider this previously circulated document, and to send any comments to her within a week if possible. The Action plan was to be considered by SKDC Cabinet briefing, after whose approval it could be included on the GF website.

Action: Board members.

6. Progress Reports

6.1 Grantham Future Website. This was due to go live on October 5 and was currently at a holding site – www.granthamfuture.co.uk Lia to email board members with a password to view the site, after which there will be one day for comments before the site goes live.

Action: Lia Ibbotson.

Action: Board members.

The website would be updated regularly and would include minutes of meetings.

6.2 BID Academy. An initial meeting had been attended during August 07, and an EMDA assessor was due to visit Grantham on the 10 October to offer advice. A visit to Rugby was scheduled for November, after which a feasibility study would be done. Neil Cuttell and Lia offered to bring Tim Robinson up to date on this subject.

7. Live Shop Grow Campaign

Lia Ibbotson reported on this four week campaign to encourage shoppers to stay local. A pocket guide to shops in the Town Centre was being printed (5000) to be deposited in town centre shops which would act as distribution points. The maps would be free of charge. Advertising on local buses comprised four designs of advert – fashion, DIY, eating and health/beauty. A press release had been sent to SKDC PR department, and the map/guide will feature on the GF website.

Cllr Parkin suggested that the map be distributed from Belton Woods Hotel in addition to the town centre shops. Each Board member would receive a guide.

Any errors will be amended in the next print run.

Neil Cuttell suggested that the little used billboards close to the Railway Station might be of use in advertising the campaign.

Action: Lia to investigate.

8. Any other business

8.1 Neil Cuttell informed the group that he and Lia had met with a new business which was asking for help from Eco Dev with Virtual Shopping software. It was hoped that town centre retailers would upload their details to this programme which was effectively an online directory. Tim Robinson reported that there was to be an article in the Journal this week.

8.2 The following information was given in response to questions from those present:

• The Growth Point bid was due to be submitted to Government by 1 October, and a response was expected in early February. There would be further guidance after this.
• Responses to the consultation held on the Growth Point had highlighted no issues
• Responses so far to the Masterplan consultation which was due to close on 5 October had been significant both via the internet and by post. A spreadsheet of the comments received was to be prepared for a Cabinet briefing on 7 October and full Cabinet on 5 November.

8.3 Cllr Chapman informed the Board that the Grantham Canal was now navigable to the county boundary, and hoped that interest in the canal would not wane.

9. Date Of Next Meeting

The next meeting of Grantham Future was confirmed as 29 November 2007, 8am at Springfield House.