Teignmouth Traders Association

www.teignmouthtradersassociation.co.uk

 

Minutes of General Meeting held at the Pickwick

 

Wednesday 12^th November 2008

 

Meeting started at 6.40pm

 

Apologies:  Brenda Battershill, Nick Spray (JAG), Dave Travis (Home Direct), Keith & Val Green (The Rock) & Richard Boss (The Beach Shop).

 

Paul Nicks (Acting Chairman) opened the meeting welcoming all, especially all the new members.

 

Christmas Buffet & Disco:  Tickets are now on sale for £10.00.  Matt from “On A Roll” had a choice of Buffets and the £4.95 one was chosen.  Matt also informed us that Mark & Annmarie are no longer at the South Pacific but the new owners will honour the booking and make us very welcome.  Matt will check out Disco etc.

 

Christmas Lights:  The sub Committee for the lights has been very active also Jackie Butterfield was thanked for all her help.  Ian has had several quotes and said thanks to all those who have given their input. 

• The lights, etc. are on order through David Tickell and should be here by 3^rd week of November.
• The brackets will be ready to collect on 20^th November.  The brackets have to go up first and will be a permanent fixture. 
• Quotes for erection of trees, lights etc have been obtained and they vary quite a lot.  The best quote being from Teign Trees who will do the whole lot for approx. £1670.  This entails putting up the brackets, the trees and the lights and taking them all down afterwards and disposing of the trees environmentally.  ACM Electricals will go around with the tree company in a Health & Safety Capacity to ensure that all the electrical connections are safe etc. As traders we are liable the electrician has all the certificates to ensure that it is all safe.  The electrician will cost £188 per day + £23.50 per hour for any extended hours and will be approx. 2 days to complete, so that means the total cost will be just over £2000.
• The Council has said there will be a tree between Fairlight Cycles and Talk of the Town, & The Secret Garden opposite Nautilus.  Dave Tickell has said there will be one in Pellew Arcade and lights but we think they need permission from Teign Housing?
• There will also be a tree in the Triangle ASAP.
• There are a few problems with the Wavy Lights once again but if they can’t get them to work they will probably use the fixings and hang some other lights.

Ian feels that we have come a long way in the past 10 weeks and now the council realise that we are not prepared to sit back and do nothing.  We will keep the pressure on to ensure that the town gets the lights it really deserves next year.  Already it is felt that the actions we have taken will help to bring more trade into the town for this Christmas.

 

We have now received the Cheque from Cllr. David Cox (Liberal Democrats).  Also not mentioned at the meeting we have received donations from Maunders Chemist (Care 4 U) and Warrens Bakery for the Christmas Lights and we have sent letters thanking them.

 

• Paul did want to mention that Mike Bolsworth was a bit upset that he didn’t get the tree contract as he has put the trees up in the town for several years.  His quote was quite a bit higher than the others and he has been made aware that we had to go with the best quote.  He was also told that he could still try the traders that were not members of our association.
• We did have a quote also that each trader could purchase a tree for £5 then pay collectively £750 to have them erected, but this did not include taking down and disposal after.

 

Andy from Earth Angel had tried to source other lights but has run out of time for this year but has been in touch with a company headed by a Steve Holder who would give us a quote for next year to put up lights for the whole town.  They decorated Chudleigh Town Centre for £4000, they also helped to organise a grand switch on party evening which generated a lot of business.   He has arranged to meet with them in February next year to see what they could possibly do for us next Christmas.  (They have also done several other towns in the County).

 

• Paul asked if the members present supported the Teign Trees in conjunction with ACM Electricals for this year – all were in favour.
• On another positive note we have gained a few more members from going around the town asking about Christmas lights.  Thank you.
• Iain Palmer pointed out that the Pier is very well lit up at the moment and looks stunning.

 

Advertising:  We have been looking into advertising for Christmas –

The Herald Express is offering:

A double page spread on Christmas in Teignmouth would be £1605 + VAT.

• If 20 businesses support feature it would cost each one £80.25 +VAT for a 5cm x 6.53 full colour advert.
• If its 30 businesses it would be £53.30 + VAT for the same size advert.

If everyone in the Traders Association would like to participate then we could have a 4 page pull out section detailing everything that is going on in our town for Christmas, with a banner on the front page highlighting the Teignmouth section, total price £3105 + VAT.

·         If its 70 businesses it would be £44.35 + VAT for the same size advert.

Also the information will be on the Herald Express website, banner etc. on front page.

As they will need a 3 week lead time to enable them to get all the information from all of the businesses we need to know as soon as possible who would like to advertise. 

 The Teignmouth News will do a two page pull out with individual adverts costing £44 + VAT.

The Herald Express does offer a wider area of readers so could potentially gain more business.

We need to let them know what will be happening in the town, late night shopping dates, carol singing, free parking after 6pm etc.

 

·         Majority of members present were in favour of Herald Express, we will have to give names of potential advertisers to Herald Express team and they will get in touch with you for your individual requirements.

·         It was suggested that we ask other traders who are not in the TTA if they would also like to advertise but most of the members present were not too keen unless not many members wanted to advertise, but as all the members present wanted to take up the offer it was felt that we would probably have more than enough.

PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING ASAP SO I CAN GIVE YOUR NAMES TO HERALD EXPRESS.  Also let me know if you know of any events in the town over the Christmas period that we could include in the editorial.  jacky.forte@3treesorganics.com 

 

·         There was a lot of discussion about which dates/days to have late night shopping, it was decided we will set a date when we know the date of carol singing.

·         It was suggested that maybe the Carols Singers could be asked to roam around the town and sing carols in a couple of places at set times rather than just the Triangle.  Cllr Fusco did think that this may cause a few safety issues but would make the suggestion.

·         We could also have Santa’s Grotto if there was someone to man it, as we have the offer of a hexagonal marquee to use.

 

Parking:  There will be no Free Parking in Teignbridge Area again this year for the Christmas period.  Cllr Fusco has said he will bring it up at the Town Centre Management Meeting.

 

AOB:

·         Ian Howes has spoken to Cllr Chris Bray regarding Signage into the town.  He said that all they could offer at first was better signage once people were in the Car Parks.  He then realised that this was not really good enough and is going back to DCC to ask for signs to the Sea Front, Parking and Shops in the future.  Cllr Fusco asked where the signs were needed and said this was something that the Town Centre Management could look into, will liaise with Ian. 

·         Iain Palmer has asked that anyone with extra large Dustbins in the George Street, Clampett Lane, Brunswick Street area who currently leave their bins on the pavement/road to get in touch with the Council as they will provide you with a key to put the bin in a lock up area, there will not be a charge but is on the understanding that when and if the area gets developed the keys are given up and the bins placed elsewhere.

·         The Council are also going to invite the TTA to have a member to represent them on the council.  Iain Palmer offered himself to be the representative as he tends to go to the meetings anyway. 

·         Margaret from Nutters made a suggestion that maybe traders would consider not parking along the sea front so as to free the spaces for shoppers.  She suggested they could park in the Scout Car Park by Bitton Park and walk to the town as its not too far to walk.  Cllr Fusco was a bit concerned about this because it was primarily for use by the Cadets and Scouts families and the training for the cadets.  But Margaret did say it would only be during the day when they didn’t normally use it and it does say it’s a TDC free car park.  Paul suggested that people consider using the Point Car Park or East Cliff.

·         Teignbridge have allocated a considerable sum of money for parking and are inviting traders to make suggestions on where they could see the money being spent.

·         Still not sure what’s happening with the old “Bobbetts Garage” site.

·         Cllr Fusco also wanted to say that there have been several incidences in the town regarding ‘A’ frame signs and other signs strapped to lamp posts causing problems and injuries to blind and partially sighted people and could traders be more considerate in where they place these signs.  It was suggested that maybe other shops could be asked to allow wall space for people to put their boards on.  (Traders really need to get in touch with Richard Elliott at DCC to discuss.)

·         Paul Nicks laid a wreath at the Memorial on Remembrance Day on behalf of the TTA.  The wreath cost £25.

 

Raffle:   Raised £43 tonight - Thanks to Tibbs Greengrocers, Sweet Memories, Londis (Pellew Arcade), Heather Crawford – Rutland Clinic, Peanuts & Jackmans Toy Box.

 

Meeting closed at 7.55pm

 

Next Meeting to be held at South Pacific on 3^rd December 2008 - 6.30pm

Thank you to Warrens Bakers for their generous donation to the Christmas Lights Fund. :-)

THANK YOU - To Maunders Chemist for their donation to the Christmas Lights Fund. :-)

TTA Christmas Buffet & Disco - Saturday 20th December - South Pacific Bar
Tickets available at the Next TTA meeting on Wed 12th November - Pickwick - 6.30pm

Hi All
Well after much debate and a little luck, we have finally got the town council to agree to grant us £2500 for the xmas light we have to match fund this and I am writing to all the bigger businesses in town to ask for a donation I have written to forty-five big business non TTA members for their support and also invited them to join us, in our endeavours to make this town an exceptional area to visit.
We now have to find three quotes from contractors who will do the work A.S.A.P.
Cllr Cox has got the town council to agree to take on the public liability insurance so we are more than half way there
I am getting a list through for value for money one off xmas displays for shop fronts if any one is interested please come and see me after the weekend when I should have the full list of sizes and prices.
Lets have a really good show so people go away talking about how lovely Teignmouth really is!
Regards
Brenda

Teignmouth Traders Association

www.teignmouthtradersassociation.co.uk

 

Minutes of General Meeting held at Oystercatchers

 

Wednesday 1^st October 2008

 

Meeting started at 6.40pm

 

Apologies:  Yvonne Miller, Aubrey Pitts & Yvonne from Nautilus.

Paul Nicks had his window smashed just before the meeting so had to stay in his shop until it was safe, hence delayed apologies.

 

Draw:  Raised £25.00 for our funds.  Prizes generously donated by Sheila & Brian Tibbs of Tibbs Greengrocers in the Triangle & Brenda. Any donations for next draw would be gratefully received and acknowledged.

 

Christmas Lights:  Thank you to everyone who came to the Council meeting your attendance really helped, especially as for some reason it had been left off the agenda!

There was a lot of discussion and although Cllrs Cox, Bladon, Bladon, Mc Murray & Tooley were all  working for the lights scheme, Cllr Russell thought there were some Health & Safety and public liability  issues!!! and Cllr Falcao wasn’t sure if he could justify using tax payers money  on this scheme (Despite receiving a 1000 signature petition that acknowledged that the people of Teignmouth do want the lights), Cllrs Baldy & Parkes were non committal and Cllr Weekes said nothing at all through out the debate.  Mr Tickell managed to keep the item from the agenda and constantly tried to intervene to stop the discussion.

There were no decisions made and as soon as there is any news we will let the members know.  There is Full council meeting at Bitton House on Tuesday 9^th of  Oct at 6.30pm PLEASE ATTEND IF YOU CAN AS IT REALLY HELPS although I must say that we will be unable to take part in anyway but it will keep us informed of the individual Cllrs views thought process!!.

Iain Palmer informed the members that there are several points that the council have to consider and we have to dot a lot of “i’s” and cross a lot of “t’s” before we can get the go ahead and any money from the council. 

As we have said previously the present grant/lottery money runs out next year so we could possibly apply for further grant/lottery funding at this time, but this doesn’t help us for this year, so we need to put as much of our own lights and decorations up (as per usual!) but also use any money raised for the lights to add some extra sparkle to the streets and make our town appealing and not the ghost town that it has been in the past.

• Many members feel that the wavy lights etc that are already in place should be operational and we should push for these to be lit, at least for Christmas!

Next year we could apply again for grant/lottery funding for further seasonal lights under a community or town scheme.  The council asked us to set up a working party and we have done this and shown great enthusiasm, this has been appreciated by Cllr Cox who has pledged to donate £1000.00 from his funds, though as yet we have not received the money.  Ian Howes who is Chair of the working party will open an account for the lights fund so we keep it separate from other TTA funding.

Even though we sent a report with figures and a petition to the council they appeared to have mislaid it, so they all now have copies, If you wish to see the same copies please call in at Sweet Memories for one.  There will be a notice board at the next meeting with the full proposal and quote for you to see.

 

• Andy suggested that we ask other businesses in the town that are not TTA members, to support the Christmas Lights Fund eg. Woolworths, Boots, The Banks etc. – will send a letter asking for donations.
• Iain said that there are forms in some businesses to ask for Community Funding.

 

 

Motor Caravan Club:  John Ware from the Herald Express has approached Brenda to ask for our support to allow the Motor Caravan Club to obtain a few spaces “Airs” in one of the town’s car parks where their members can stay for a day or two before they travel on to their next stop.  All they need is a tap and somewhere they can dispose of their sewerage.  Iain at East Cliff said they had a few problems during the season with campers along the sea front, but Brenda said that this would alleviate this problem if they had a designated site, Richard from The Beach thought it was a great idea and other members agreed.  It was agreed we would write a letter to support.

 

Teign Estuary Focus Group:  Yvonne & Mike went to the meeting at the Yacht Club.  Mike said it was a very interesting meeting with many members of all sorts of organisations from the area in attendance.  One of the topics was that they were going to have a “Thomas Luny” Fortnight and there were a few ideas and suggestions one being that they would have a “Painting by numbers” type art on the warehouse wall along Quay Road, done by children from local schools, groups etc.  Another idea was to have guided tours of the places he visited, stayed, where he spent his time painting, eating and drinking.  This will probably happen sometime in May to mark a 250^th anniversary of his birth.  It was also suggested that they were going to bring all his works of art to given an exhibition in the town, they need a venue to display the paintings, although the school was suggested Mike thought it would be a good idea to try and get it in the Riviera.

They also wanted to know of possible sites to put “Touch Screen Information Centres”.  There are two available.  By the Tourist Information Centre would be a good site, not sure about the other one.  These centres will give information on what’s on, where to stay, where to eat etc.  We should speak to Roger about adding some of our own information.

 

Request from Teignmouth Council:  They are asking for volunteers to be trained up to watch CCTV.  Anyone interested should get in touch with the council please.

 

Mini Festival:  Sam at the Jolly Sailor is organising a mini festival on 15^th November – Could members please display a poster and come along and enjoy yourselves, he will be having collection buckets out and all money collected will be for the Teignmouth Christmas Lights Fund.

 

New Committee Member: Chris from Jag has had to resign from the committee as he has now moved jobs and is no longer in the town.  Brenda asked if there are any nominations to fill the post and suggested Matt Kelly as he could represent east Teignmouth area if he would be prepared to join the committee, he said yes and as no one else came forward he was co-opted on by all members present.

 

Christmas Buffet Date & Venue:  Mike and Annmarie from South Pacific would provide a buffet & disco for about 80 people.  Price to be decided soon and will be reasonable you will all be contacted then about where to buy the tickets for members and their partners family and staff.  Any other suggestions for entertainment will be considered.

 

AOB:

• Winter Carnival is on 29^th November, please if you have any ideas or offers of help get in touch with the carnival committee, it will be a walking procession this year.
• Brenda is trying to find a venue and people to run a Santa’s Grotto and said there are child protection issues to consider while doing this.  Another suggestion was to have a marquee in the triangle, Richard from the Beach may have one we could hire/use but it would have to be properly attended to so no damaged came to it.
• Rotary are putting up a “In Memory” tree again this year.
• Iain asked for permission to apply for a grant for about £1000-£2000 towards the St Georges Festival.  It was agreed so long as it would not affect the application for a grant for seasonal lights next year.
• Mike asked if there was any news on the Christmas free parking?  Brenda said it was still ongoing and she has Emailed to Sue Edwards recently and was told that it was being put forward.
• It was also pointed out that if anyone would like to speak at a Council Meeting you have to write to the Council three WORKING days before the meeting.  You can have three minutes to say what you would like this is your right.

 

Next Meeting:  Wednesday 12^th November 2008 - 6.30pm at The Pickwick to be confirmed. PAUL WILL CHAIR THIS MEETING

 

Meeting closed at 7.45pm.

 

 

Business to Business

 

LEAFLET DISTRIBUTION

I am doing a leaflet distribution to a good number of homes in Teignmouth over the next few weeks

Are you interested in distributing leaflets advertising your business at the same time?

We could share the cost (which means it would cost me less per leaflet/household)

Contact David Berg, Four Candles Electrics 07885 965 979

 

 

Teignmouth Traders Association

www.teignmouthtradersassociation.co.uk

 Minutes of General Meeting held at the South Pacific

 Wednesday 3^rd September 2008

 

Meeting started at 6.30pm

 

Apologies:  Chris Evans, Neil Johns, Matthew Kelly & Sam Robins.

 

Previous minutes were approved by Angela & Gill.

 

Christmas Lights:  Ian & the focus group members went around the town to ascertain the positions and sites for the lights.  It is proposed that we use LED lighting in Blue & white throughout with white twinkle lighting to trees in Den Road, Triangle, French Street, Regent Street, Pellew Arcade & Northumberland Place and lighting displays attached to various lamp-posts in Hollands Road, Station Road, Regent Street, Wellington Street, Bank Street, Orchard Gardens, Northumberland Place, The Triangle & Waterloo Street and Brunswick street.  Cllr David Cox has promised £1000.00 towards costs from his allocated budget.

 

All the above is in addition to the Council providing the Xmas tree plus tree and railing lights as last year in the main area of triangle.

 

We would need to obtain permission from SEC to use power from lamp posts, if this was not possible we could possibly use the existing electric points set up for the wave lights if they can be made operational.  Apparently the existing electric boxes make a lot of noise and residents have complained so there were suggestions on how to eliminate this problem including using the LED lights as mentioned above which are noise free.

As the existing Wavy lights are with us until Nov 2009 we will ask that the council find available funding to sort out the repairs and maintenance until replacements can be made.  

Cllr James McMurray says he wasn’t too keen on the Wavy lights but as we are stuck with them for another 12 months or so then we need to find ways of sourcing electricity and get something on a smaller scale for this year and then perhaps taking the wavy lights down and find suitable replacements for next year.  He was also horrified at what has happened in the past with funding etc.  (There was a lot of discussion, too much to be minuted!)  James does need a rough figure of the costs to put forward.

Until we get an idea of where we can connect it will be hard to get a correct figure but we have had some quotes in the past, which the council are already aware of.

 

Signage:  Further requirements to promote the town are to get the Council to provide adequate signage to direct people into the town.  We need arrowed signs to say “Teignmouth Town Centre”, “Shops”, “Parking” and “Sea Front”.  Preferably located: on the roundabouts by Orchard Gardens and by the Station.  Also Members felt we could use signage from Bishopsteignton, Shaldon Bridge (both ends), Exeter Road and Dawlish Road.  The costs of these should be met by the council and would be a once only payment, except improvement and maintenance costs.

 

There is a Council Meeting next Tuesday the 9^th of September at 6.30pm in Bitton House where Brenda & Ian are going to put forward the proposals for the lights & signage.  Ian has prepared a report.  AS MANY MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND TO SHOW SUPPORT – PLEASE ATTEND IF YOU CAN.

 

• Angela asked if Teignbridge would help with funding, but apparently they don’t fund anything.
• It was suggested that Shops in the town had collection boxes displayed asking for donations from the community for the lighting, will have to check legal status.
• Everyone must try and put their own lights and displays up for Christmas, which most do already.

 

Carlton Theatre:  There was a meeting tonight about the redevelopment of the Carlton Theatre.  Yvonne, Mike, Sam & Iain attended.  Report from Yvonne: (to follow)

 

Teign Estuary Focus Group:  There is a meeting on Tues 23^rd Sep at the Yacht Club re: Recreation and Tourism - 7 – 8.30pm for those who would like to attend.

 

Treasurers Report:  Not available as the treasure did not attend the meeting.

 

Produce Market:  Comments were invited about the market but as the weather was really bad it was felt that we didn’t get a true feeling of the market, although there were a few traders that were not very happy about it.  These include: Sheila Tibbs – Tibbs Greengrocers, Mark Tibbs – Yellands Bakery, Colin Redfern – Redferns Butchers and Regency News to name a few, although some of these and others who complained are not members of this Association Cllr Fusco was informed of their feelings, it was felt that these traders should get the Chamber of Trade to speak for them.

It was suggested that if the Triangle Traders didn’t want the market there then move the Produce Market to another part of the town, although Tracey Higgs has said to the chairman that the stall holders are not in favour of this, it was then said that out of town traders should not be able to dictate to Teignmouth officials that are here for the town and that if they would not comply with the wishes of the town then, others are ready to come in their place.  Also can we find out how many people used the “Free Bus”, and there didn’t seem to be as much advertising about the market as we thought there would be.

 

AOB:

 

• Cllr Fusco felt there was not enough publicity advertising events in the town and asked if Traders would be willing to put up posters in their windows to try and promote events. – Agreed.
• Mike at Fairweather News asked if there could be more events scheduled for the Northumberland Place end of town.
• Richard from The Beach said we were all asked to advertise events in other towns so therefore maybe we should ask other towns to support our advertising also.
• Paul asked if the Treasurer should be asked if he wished to be replaced as he has not attended some of the meetings and has sent no apologies or a report; and as this is a high profile job the members agreed and felt we should ask David of his intentions.
• News items for the Website:  any news items that should be included on the website should be forwarded to jacky.forte@3treesorganics.com Xmas light funding will be put on.
• Brenda will be away for a month so will need someone to Chair two or three meetings whilst she is away – volunteer please.
• Iain suggested that we have our own festival next year.  A “St Georges Festival” in April of next year.  St Georges Day is on 23^rd April so we could do it in the week around that date.  If all the committee members did one job to help then no one person would be left to run it.   If the TTA put up £1000 then this would provide advertising, bunting & flags to all members, and also pay for some entertainment maybe a Knight on horseback going around the town looking for the dragon!  We could get schools, churches and lots of the organizations in the town involved.  It would be good publicity for the town as it is a fairly unique idea.  (Dragon and other ideas were coming in thick and fast).  Choirs, jousting, bands, window dressing, painting competitions etc.  We will need to check on insurance but Iain felt this could be included in the initial fee of £1000.  We could also ask the council for some funding.  All present members were in favour.
• Cllr Vince Fusco said that Teignmouth lacks identity and we need to think long term about what we can do to promote our town and make it stand out and make people want to come here.  Any ideas please let him know.  Jill felt that the council should be helping to give us ideas.  Brenda said we should draw a line under what has happened in the past and look to the future that is why this association has come together, we are already making a difference and the council are listening to us.
• There is no update as yet on the Xmas or Continental Markets as no one has responded.  Probably too late for Xmas market this year but maybe Continental Market for Easter. 
• It was suggested for this year that we put on our own Xmas market between local traders, 8 members present said they would do a stall, any others wishing to take part please let Brenda know.  Cllr Fusco will look into whether we can obtain a temporary traders licence.  If it is possible then we should be able to use the stalls from Teignmouth Council.
• It was asked if we could put reports in the local papers.  The Teignmouth News has no reporter at the moment and when they do get one he will be based in Newton Abbot.  It was felt that we should just go with the T’mothian Publication at the moment and members are asked to support this publication as it is uniquely for Teignmouth.
• There will be a TTA Christmas Dinner held at the South Pacific.  Date, time and price to be decided later.

 

 

Next Meeting:  Wednesday 1^st October 2008 at 6.30pm in the Oystercatchers Cafe.

 

Meeting closed at 8.15pm.

 

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.