Minutes of Grantham Future Board Meeting 20 June 2008

Present

Board members

Jackie Smith (Chairman) Springfield Properties
Peter Burrows Autumn Park
Roger Stafford Buckminster Estates
Duncan Andrew Duncan and Toplis
Cllr Alan Parkin Charter Trustees
Cllr Mike Cook SKDC
Tim Robinson Grantham Journal

In attendance

Lia Ibbotson Town Centre Manager
Cllr Frances Cartwright SKDC
Neil Cuttell SKDC
Christine Jurd SKDC, Partnership Administrator

Apologies

Jackie Smith apologised for her absence at the last scheduled meeting which had therefore been cancelled

Minutes of the last meeting

These were agreed as a true record, and signed off by Jackie Smith. Signed copy to Duncan Andrew for safekeeping.

Matters Arising

Growth Point: The Board was informed that a Growth Point Manager had been appointed. This was Simon Wright, who would be an employee of LCC and report to the Strategy Board, although based in Grantham. He is due to start in early August.

Funding Update

St George’s Day this had been a successful event which would hopefully grow in the years to come. Lia had received invoices for this and for the Events Group Secretarial funding which had been passed to Jackie.

Funding Requests

1. Grantham Christmas Market 2008 The events group were asking for £3k, same as last year. Board members agreed to contribute £3,000, with the proviso that some of the funding be used to encourage ethnic groups to take part.

2. Grantham Independent’s Day July 4th This was an initiative to raise the profile of independent retailers and was being done in the George Centre as well as other areas of the town. It was being supported by the Journal. Board members agreed to support this promotion with a contribution of £500.

3. Events Group Secretary Previous years funding for this had been capped at £1500, which was now nearly expired. The Board was asked to again fund to the same extent. The Board agreed to fund the secretary post to £750 and stressed that the Events Group should look elsewhere for matching funding.

4. Grantham Carnival A letter had been received from the Carnival Organisers asking for unspecified help with the event. The Event is supported by a financial contribution from SKDC and policing/security form a high percentage of overall costs. Board members agreed that funding of police costs would be inappropriate for this group and also that it was inappropriate to match fund against the SKDC budget.

Dysart Park

As noted at the last meeting of the GF Board, Dysart Park is to celebrate 100 years birthday on 5/6 July. Organisers of the event have secured a contribution from SKDC of £500 which will cover insurance costs. They were asking GF to contribute to sponsorship of prizes eg for tombola.

Board members agreed that it was inappropriate for GF to fund this, but that if individuals wished to contribute, that was up to them.

BIDS

Lia asked Board members for feedback on whether they wanted to continue with a BID, following the circulation of the consultant’s report, which had recommended among other things that stronger leadership was required, and the day event held earlier in the year.

In response, it was noted that more work was required in order to make sure that the business community had any enthusiasm for a BID, and a BID manager would be needed. It may be possible to put in a bid to Lincs Enterprise at a later stage.

ACTION: Lia to progress looking at costs to the council and keep updated on the Business Rates Supplement progression. Consultation prior to legislation is not going to take place until early 2009.

Public Art

Lia Ibbotson had previously circulated a discussion document. Consultation would be required and a brief determined with reference to location and scope.

Lia confirmed to the Board that the Council held £20k 106 funding which had originated from the Cattlemarket/Next development. It was possible to apply for matchfunding eg from the Arts Council, but quotes would be needed to do this. Some discussion took place around how artists could be engaged to tender for the work, possibly by limited local competition (eg college/arts centre contacts.

Board members agreed to take forward initially with a sub group as soon as possible, and then with a stakeholder meeting in the autumn.

ACTION: Board members

ACTION: Tim Robinson to look out the previous ideas collected by the Journal and pass to Lia.

Northern Foods

It was agreed that the forthcoming mothballing of the Fenland Foods factory in Grantham and the associated loss of jobs would have a significant impact on the town. Possible ways of helping to alleviate the impact were discussed. Neil Cuttell noted that SKDC were liaising with the job centre and will help with support schemes. SKDC are carrying out a Fenland Foods staff questionnaire in order to assess the skillsets already held and therefore what training may be needed.

Other Business

1. Cllr Alan Parkin informed the Board that the Mayor and his deputy were looking into the Government rules regarding the formation of a Town Council, which for Grantham could cover the area of the old town boundary or alternatively with a new boundary to take in areas such as Manthorpe Estate and Alma Park. This was open to discussion. The powers of a Town Council were also open to discussion.

2. Huntingtower Road Tunnel/Network Rail It was reported that Network Rail had agreed to pay for the painting of the tunnel. This was a temporary solution to a problem which the District Council wished to find something more permanent.

The Board expressed a wish to help if possible. This however was a Network Rail/SKDC issue although lobbying help with Network Rail could be helpful.

ACTION: Chairman to write to Network Rail