17 December 2004

Canterbury For Business
Friday 17^th December
8- 10am, at Whitstable Community College.

1. Introductions and apologies
   Present : Michael Head, Penny Sharp, Ian Mazerolle, Jonathan Watts, Eileen Hargreaves, Ron Donmall, Phil Davies, Kevin Bush, Jan Thornby, Fiona Beer, Clive Relf, Emma Janes, Sharon Brown.
   
   Apologies : Colin Carmichael, George Wilson, Amy Austin, Peter Drummon d, Peter Hawkes, Tony Bartlett, Paul Barrett.
   
   
2. Minutes of the last meeting
   All agreed.
   
   
3. C4B Community Chest
   CCC runs a communi ty chest aimed at three wards in the district, the project comes to an end next year. C4B would like a community chest that runs throughout the district, and would encourage busines ses to contribute financially to creating a larger pot for communi ty projects.
   C4B would work with CCC as they have the knowledge of running communi ty chests.
   A bid for £10,000 has been submi t ted to the East Kent Partnership to pump – prime the communi ty chest.
   The Communi ty chest could be launched in March 2005 at the Business week as one of the projects that C4B are to do.
   The board approved the scheme, but there was a few concerns over, the legal aspect of the project, and also how companies will get their recognition, once they have donated to the fund.
   The legal aspect needs looking into, CCC will do all the administ ration, but C4B will set the projects and objectives, redefining the criteria.
   The recognition of the companies will be made available by holding annual events and listing the businesses that have donated to the fund.
   A panel will meet to assess the projects, and a C4B sub group member would sit at each one.
   Kevin – Quality of Life group to draft a list of objectives and criteria and bring it to the next meeting, for the board to approve.
   It was highlighted that this year only runs from Dec to March, so only three months, could we then apply for next years money? Something for us to look into.
   There was some concerns over the amount of work that this will generate, but Michael reassured the board that C4B will benefit from this project.
   
   
4. Matters arising from Sub- Groups
   Learning and skills – Jan Thornby
   Working on a pilot project at St Anselms.
   Accreditation for work experience, adds points towards their GCSE’s, but there is a price attached of £4.000 per school. It was suggested that Jan approaches the East Kent Partnership, Janet Waghorn and also GOSE, Fergus Morley, to see if money would be available from either of them.
   
   Serving the local economy – Clive Relf
   Discussed the C4B Website, Clive met with Fiona they have agreed a package with Simon Eldridge. A skeleton of the site has been set up and a mock up of the site should be up and running by the end of Jan. The latest deadline is the 16 th March (C4B dinner), where it can be seen running.
   
   Quality of Life – Kevin Bush
   Working on the communi ty chest project with CCC’s co- ordinator s for the project.
   Met with a planning officer to discuss sustainability in a new development - ongoing.
   Attended a couple of prize giving evenings at the schools, represented C4B at Barton Court and gave a speech to them.
   
   Infrastructure – Michael Head
   Attended a steering group meeting lead by KCC, also attending was the Highways Agency, CCC, GOSE, SEEDA and Michael. The slip roads were discussed, all six slips have difficult, technical problems.
   Little Barton Business Park is awaiting the Inspector s report – the outcome of the Local Plan Inquiry. Kent Examination in Public – Inspector’s report delayed.
   
   
5. Canterbury District Busines s Week
   Weds 16 th March at the University, Darwin Conference Suite, capacity is 250 people.
   The board to send through any names suitable for the dinner, charities also to be included. The schools will be invited again and maybe a prize giving could be arranged.
   The Young Enterprise Finals is to be held on Monday, so the winners will be invited to attend the C4B dinner.
   Business life has been produced and a flyer has gone out with it to busines ses encouraging them to attend the business week.
   
   
6. C4B Budget
   Penny to bring it to the next meeting.
   The board need to consider whether they want to continue with Kent Business, advertising with them. The deadline for advertising the event will be the 10 th Jan, so get the proofs ready.
   Business link have not discussed their potential financial suppor t. Clive Relf to contact Tony Bartlett about the issue.
   
   
7. Chairman’s Update
   Michael was amazed by people’s perception of C4B, overall its very large!! We must strive to keep that going.
   The Whitstable Chamber of Commerce is to approach C4B about the one way system in Whitstable, the board is to check the details before backing the idea.
   C4B to contribute ideas towards Herne Bay regeneration, Kevin visited Southend it is very similar to Herne Bay and has been greatly improved.
   Michael attended the Councillors briefing in the Guildhall, the business park was mentioned but no response was generated.
   
   
8. Any Other Business
   Business rates are a hot topic the rateable value has gone up by 30% - 25% extra in cash, this needs looking into.
   Car park charges there are proposed increases in our areas.
   In January there is a meeting to discuss open spaces and how they are used with CCC, KCC, City Centre Management the fire brigade and Michael, feedback to follow.
   
   
9. Date of the next meeting
   Friday 28 th January, 8 –11am, The Garden Room, at St Martin’s Priory, Canterbury Christ Church University College.
   
   
10. Items for future agendas
    GOSE/SEEDA meeting has been arranged for Thursday 31 st March, 2 – 5pm at the University of Kent – Senate Building, Committee Room One.
    
    
11. The Community College, Whitstable
    A tour was given by Helena Sullivan – Tighe the head teacher from the school, she showed us around the new business centre, the official opening is the 7th March. A talk was then given by David Harms the assistant head, followed by a talk from Bob Jones, about the opportuni ties at the Communi ty College.
    Michael invited them to attend the business exhibition, and to join us at the dinner in March.
    Many thanks to Helena for her time, to David and Bob for the venue for our meeting and a lovely breakfast.