Introductions.
Paul Barrett was absent so Ian Mazerolle - Vice Chair, chaired the meeting.
Dawn on behalf of the Chairman informed the board that she and Paul Barrett had had a presentation from Peter Crone on the London Array. The Thames estuary will see 5 separate wind farms developed. EKP has appointed Richard Barron on secondment from Marine South East to lead on developing a strategy for East Kent including the opportunities arising from the wind farm and Port Ramsgate. The board feared that Thanet District Council is not taking a lead role in this project. Dawn suggested that Richard could make a presentation to the C4B Board at a future meeting around the potential for wind turbine development and maintenance and the opportunities for East Kent.
Action: Dawn to approach Richard Barron.
Dawn informed the Board that the 2020 exhibition had been successful and 12 new Associates had been signed up on the day. Business events seem to be the best way of recruiting new associates.
The Chairman had attended the KCC Olympic Strategy launch, which was held at the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood. The Chairman feels more optimistic and will be planning for a forthcoming C4B Olympic sub group meeting upon his return.
As announced by Paul Carter - Leader KCC at the C4B dinner, that Canterbury could be receiving a traffic management system Dawn informed the Board that this is not the case and it looks like the city will not get such a scheme but will instead have some work undertaken to look into the problems.
Action: Paul Barrett to write to Paul Carter, Head of KCC regarding the traffic system.
Local Strategic Partnership: Dawn informed the group that 40 people had attended the LSP futures workshop that had been held at Hall Place on the 1st May. No big issues/differences had emerged than from any previous futures work already carried out, this was very comforting. The delegates were asked to come up with some short and long term actions that could be put in place to achieve the vision - the notes from the workshop were circulated.
East Kent Partnership: Michael informed the Board that no further EKP meetings had been held since the last C4B Board meeting. Michael informed the Board that Dover Harbour Board has revealed plans for the development of the Western Docks with enhancements for a new marine and ferry terminals which could cater for an additional 9-15,000 lorries.
The Board discussed the continuing subject of operation stack and the difficulties that could arise for theA2 slip roads as a result of allowing the M20 and A2 to be used as a one-way loop for carrying and stacking lorries.
Local Economy & Business Events.
Dawn Hudd: Report circulated.
Stand has been booked at the Kent Invicta B2B on 26 June at Ashford International Hotel, Dawn asked if Board Members would be interested in helping to man the stand. The exhibition will run from 9.30am to 5.00pm.
Action: Board members to let Paul know if they are available to help.
Dawn discussed the EBN Conference. Dawn reminded the board about the event and what it would involve. C4B members have been offered a delegate day rate of £50.00 and attendance is expected from a variety of sectors. It has since been confirmed that the majority of delegates will be from Business Innovation Centres.
Dawn updated the board on progress with the Tour De France. The Yellow T-shirts for bar and restaurant staff are now being funded by the C4B Budget held by Dawn, as no sponsor could be found. The shirts will have the C4B web address across the back. A newsletter will be issued informing people of all the tour details will be sent out.
Improving Education & Skills.
Jan Druker: Report circulated.
Jan informed the Board that Steven Manning had given a presentation on the 14-19 yr Diplomas. Barton Court will no longer offer AS or A2 qualifications and these will be replaced with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma qualification, which is a radical move as they are the first school to do so.
Peter raised the issue that it's important to educate employers on the IB to raise its profile. Dawn suggested that Steve Manning could give a presentation at the launch of the skills register. The Vice Chairman asked if it was possible to get a press release on the C4B website with a possible qualification conversion table to help people understand its relevance to other qualifications.
The Board continued to discuss the issues surrounding qualifications and the IB.
Colin asked the board what it would take to retain more graduates, as Clive had raised the point that one of the initial key approaches of C4B was to retain graduates, as Canterbury is a hub of excellence for education. It was indicated that social activities within Canterbury do not meet the level that is experienced in other cities and could well be a reason for lower graduate retention I.e. bar and club culture and late night entertainment.
Dawn suggested that the group look at publishing a guide for employers along the lines of the Placements That Work booklet, which would encourage employers to take on graduates. The Board supported this suggestion.
Michael announced that the Academy is moving forward and will be called Spires Academy.
Marketing.
Ian Mazerolle:
Jonathan updated the Board, as Ian was only present for part of the last meeting. The C4B Blog was discussed at the marketing meeting and the need to get the Blog started with some interesting/controversial discussions. Jonathan asked the Board if they were going to use the Blog. Dawn suggested that Board Members start a Blog discussion as there has been some controversial discussions around the table i.e. IB Diploma, night club discussion. Jonathan said that if people don't use the Blog it will not work and it is up to us to get it going. The Vice Chairman said that the Blog will get a push to the Associates but needs some controversial discussion to motivate people to join in a attract their attention, this way the Blog will create its own PR which should be taken up by the press and will relieve the need to search our stories.
Action: All board members to populate the Blog to start discussions.
Updates to the C4B website will happen every third week in the month and all updates to be with SEA by the 2nd week of the month so that they can be scheduled.
The new C4B marketing DL Leaflet was circulated to the Board for viewing and comment. The Board were informed that Amy and Paul would use the Local Economy teams Evolutive database to select an appropriate target audience to conduct a mail shot to with the DL leaflet.
Jonathan discussed the budget. No additional monies will be allocated to SEA and so C4B will work on current priorities within the £750 per month that they currently pay SEA for their services.
Major projects:
Michael Head:
Mark raised a question over the A2 Slips project. Michael advised that the paper work for the schemes approval is still with the Minister for signing.
Action: C4B Board members to write independently to Stephen Ladyman to lobby for action to be taken by the Minister and Paul to write on behalf of C4B.
A session with KCC took place to discuss Little Barton Farm. Work to be commissioned to demonstrate the traffic impact of partial and full development. An employment land study is also being carried out across the district to look at currently allocated sites and the issues preventing development. CPO may be considered for sites that are proving difficult to bring forward and alternative sites will be investigated.
Environment.
Clive Relf: Report circulated.
Informed the Board that there is a business recycling initiative which is being led by Tim Bentley, Ian MacKenzie and Peter Scutt of Whitefriars. Clive also informed the Board that he attended the Kent Sustainable Business Partnership networking lunch at East Malling.
Clive said that the group are still looking for content for the Blog and that there is still a good level of interest from Associates to attend the Environment group meetings.
Issue of businesses recycling discussed by the Board, and the Environment group will continue to work in this area.
A reminder was given to submit environmental policies to post on the website for others to use.
Chamber of Commerce.
Peter Hawkes:
Peter informed the group that he has been in two meetings with Janet Davies over the Wincheap development. There was an open day on the 23rd May at the estate. Peter also advised that the cricket ground planning application is supported by the Chamber and the possible launch of a Young Chamber initiative
Enterprise.
Dawn circulated a copy of the Local Economy teams quarterly report for the end of the financial year. Dawn also updated the Board about the Business Mentors project and that in June or July a mail shot will go out to all Associates explaining the project and what is involved, to get expressions of interest.
Dawn also updated on the graduate event that is planned for later in the year, and that again in June a communication will go out to all education establishments informing them of the event and asking them to join a steering group.
Olympics.
Paul Barrett:
See Chairman's report.
AOB.
Idea discussed to invite a member of the Whitstable Chamber of Commerce or Business Club to join the C4B Board, and therefore make Chamber Liaison meeting obsolete. Board agreed to this suggestion.
Action: Dawn to approach the Whitstable Chamber to nominate a representative.
Date of next meeting
Friday 6 July 7.45am, Hall Place, Harbledown.