Teignmouth Traders Association

Minutes of General Meeting held at the South Pacific

Wednesday 6^th August 2008

Meeting started at 6.35pm

Apologies:  Roger Palmer, Richard Boss, Jackie Butterfield, Chris Mitchell, Chris Evans, Keith at Church Books.Sam Jolly sailor,

Minutes were approved by Iain & Mike.

The Chairman opened the meeting saying thanks to all attending and to Vince Fusco for attending. 

Outcome of joint meeting with Chamber of Commerce re:  Boundaries & Parking: The chairman and several members had a good  joint meeting with the Chamber of Trade at the Yacht clubwith Lynn Mcelheron they had a good look at the profile about the boundaries and Brenda has a copy for anyone who wishes to look at it and anyone who wishes to comment could you please email TDC by 26^th September.  Basically at the moment we have three choices:

1. Whole of Devon as one council.
2. Exeter & Exmouth could break off leaving Torbay & Plymouth as is and the rest of Devon as One .
3. It could stay as it is.

There has already been a consultation day in Teignmouth There to be more over the rest of Devon Where you can go to voice your opinions or you could do so via the web.  Vince said that if we could stay as it is the services we’ll receive will give us more responsibility and power will put us in a stronger position to decide things that could benefit our town i.e. The revenue from parking should be put back into the town giving the power back to Teignmouth Council.

Sue Edward got a lot of questions about parking in Teignmouth. The chairman asked her for free parking over the Xmas period, she said they would consider it for maybe one weekend.  Brenda has emailed a request for this and report back when a reply has been received.

Vince said that when the Co-op was built they gave the town £600,000 for parking facilities but only a small amount was spent on the Quay area  the remaining £460,000 should have been spent on building a second tier on the Quay Car Park and he pointed out that Teignbridge has been taking the interest from this for 11years and the remaining capital has been devalued and will no longer buy as much as it would have.  

The comment was made by several members that we really need to show the councillors we are in need of more parking and they are unhappy and angry that some of them don’t think we do!

Representative to sit in public seat at Council Meetings:  Iain Palmer agreed to represent TTA at Council Meetings with the chairman.

Produce Market in Triangle:  Spoken to Tracey Higgs & Alison Hook the market will be on trial for six months in the Triangle, after this time there will be a meeting after the trail for the local traders to express their views and opinions. Everyone was asked to keep records of takings to compare during these times.

The markets will be one Saturday morning a month starting on 16^th August and will last for four hours.  The stalls are strictly monitored and the chairman has a list available of the stallholders and it was discussed that they were similar to the traders at previous Farmers Markets held in Pellew Arcade.

A lot of discussion about maybe trying to alternate the Market to other parts of the town, including Pellew Arcade and Somerset Place to attract people to other parts of the town as the triangle and the den gets the bulk of the events and many traders miss out on the influx of people that they attract if these events were held in other parts of the town then the whole town would benefit from the passing trade as it made its way to and from the events,

There will be a Free Bus to the Market from the local villages this was greeted well and with thanks  (It was asked if they could be dropped off at different locations so they could see more of the Town??).

Any electric used will be paid for out of their rent.  They will possibly use Teignmouth Stalls but this is still under debate.

Members were assured that all monies from previous markets did go to Teignmouth.

If everyone is happy, the Council will fund a big advertising campaign to promote the markets.  They will also monitor the clearing up.

It was suggested that we could have different sorts of markets in different areas of the town during other parts of the year.

The majority of the members who attended were in favour of the market as it stands and as long as we get clear undertakings and assurance from the councils that no other types of stalls/businesses will take part now or in the future without consultation with the traders, Brenda assured the members that Teignbridge was happy to consult and take on board all comments.

Brenda also spoke to Tracey Higgs about the recent drowning tragedy that happened in Teignmouth, it was a shame that Teignmouth got bad publicity through lack of lifeguards, but we have a lot of cover from RNLI, Coastguards, Coast watch and Ambulance/Paramedics etc.  There is serious lack of Lifeguards in general not just in this town, but more are being interviewed and trained.  If anyone knows someone who is either trained or willing to be trained and also available to get in touch with the council.  Iain Palmer runs the Surf Life Savers and said they have 3 more people in training that will be ready in September, but as from next year this will all be covered by the RNLI.

Tracey also wants views on how the Fair affects business.  It was felt that the Fair has had to be smaller for several reasons and they seem to have fewer rides which are expensive but the food/drink vans which seem to be on the increase do affect some businesses, and this is unacceptable but in general people like the fair and it was suggested we have a small rides in Triangle at Xmas such as the carassel .

Xmas Lights Petition:  There are 1181 names on the Petition which was handed to Vince for the Council.  (Copies of this were kept by Brenda in case it got lost!)

Need to make sure that premises have permission from owners if any new anchor points need to be put up to secure lights to.  A working party will be set up to get lights for this year.  With the summer being so poor in terms of business we really need to get the town up in lights to attract shoppers.  Iain said the lights near the Den, from the promenade to the road should be lit now really and although they have been tested and proved to be working they are still not lit.  (Vince)

Paul Nicks, Ian Howes, Andy Robinson, Tara Sims, Mark Paradine & Matthew Kelly have all offered to help Brenda as a working party for the lights. 

New Secretary:  Jacky Forte – email: jacky.forte@3treesorganics.com or Tel: 01626 779006.

Window Stickers/Bags:  Window stickers are now available and Paul Nicks distributed them at the meeting, all those not attending will be given them by Brenda or Paul ASAP.  It was decided that we would not do bags but if individual traders wish to have the TTA logo on any bags they have printed please approach AAA.Paper & Packaging Products who are in possession of the TTA logo and are very reasonably priced, there are samples to look at with the chairman if needed.

Any other Business: 

• Could we possibly get schools, WI or other organizations to do Carol Singing in the town at Christmas?  Xmas markets with roasting chestnuts.
• Hold a raffle at the monthly meetings prizes to be donated by members and profits from tickets sold to go in funds.
• The Town needs better signage to attract people into the town, Vince suggested that when the working party for the lights go around the town, he accompanies them and sort out the important points of the town that need signage, e.g. The Pier.
• The Web page is now up and running, any info for the site to be sent to the Secretary.
• We should change the colour of the TTA stickers each time membership is renewed.
• We need total support from Teignmouth Council for traders to really help the retailers. 
• TTA are making an impact on the Councils and they are staring to listen to what we want but we must keep the pressure up.
• It was suggested that maybe next year we could have more hanging baskets around the town, although it was agreed it would be nice, a lot felt they would be destroyed by vandals in certain areas.
• Nutters said we really need rubbish bins and benches back in Bank Street. (Vince)
• Paul Nicks said that after talking to traders at Dawlish Warren there are now three camps that are no longer holiday camps but static homes which is already affecting trade at the Warren and will have a knock on effect to Dawlish & then Teignmouth, want to know what the Councils are doing to redress the balance?  It is also happening in Shaldon and there are already lost job opportunities for people.
• It was decided by the majority of members present that copies of the minutes should be sent to Teignmouth Council and Teignbridge Council. There were some objections but it was decided that as they would be published on the web any way it was OK and we need to be seen and regarded as open and honest in our views and dealings,    NOTE from our chairman if any one has objections to their name being published please ask it to be erased from the minutes.

Next Meeting:  Wednesday 3^rd September 2008 at 6.30pm in the South Pacific.

Meeting closed at 8pm.

posted by Teignmouth Traders Association  # 17:04