BIA Meeting 6th August 2008, Malton and Norton- Business in Action

Minutes of the Business in Action Meeting held at the Old Lodge Hotel, Malton on Wednesday 6 August 2008

Present:
Denys Townsend (Linton Pet Shop)
John Collins (Community)
Tim Sinclair (Ambiente)
Zoe Plummer (Ambiente)

Apologies
M Chalk
Helen Knapp
Paul Andrews

The chairman had a useful meeting with Ryedale District Council Corporate Director Marie-Ann Jackson and the notes of meeting are attached as appendix A.

With only four members present we spent time reviewing, adapting and extending an action plan (appendix B) which the chairman had produced. The objective is to focus on future achievements and it is suggested that future meetings follow this routine.

Appendix A:

Note of Meeting between Rydale DC and Business in Action (Chairman)

Date:31st July 2008
Present: Marie-Ann Jackson, Corporate Director, Ryedale District Council, Denys Townsend, Chairman, Business in Action

1. Malton Town Centre – Background
A full discussion took place in relation to the background and history of the various groups and organisations operating in and for Malton (and Norton). The roles and particular interests of each group were discussed.
It was noted that there are a range of different groups at the present time and although some overlaps were identified in terms of personnel and focus they were all independent of each other:
(i) Malton & Norton Partnership – historically managed the role of the Town Centre Manager; product of Market Towns Initiative; recently reviewed and relaunched itself including a new business plan.
(ii) Business in Action – Ltd Co. of business interests; responsible for Christmas Lights; interests include signage; car-parking charges and provision of a tourist attraction. Useful network of local businesses and retailers.
(iii) Thrive – residents association; primary in interests include events and activities e.g. Art Explosion; Continental Market; Dickens Festival; Malton Museum(s)/attractions.
(iv) Town Councils – potential for improved joint working between 2 Councils.

2. Ambassador Role
The role and focus of the suggested Ambassador role was discussed and it was agreed that this needed better definition as there are a number of key roles that could be performed: Town Centre Manager style role; Events Co-ordinator; linking the businesses together; looking at transport issues and visitor support.
Action: RDC to discuss further with Fitzwilliam Estate Co and Malton and Norton Partnership

3. Events
MAJ confirmed that the Council could assist individual events co-ordinators with the facilitation of events where needed and has been doing this for some time. MAJ confirmed that she had asked officers to get in touch with Ian Beecham in this regard. DT advised that one useful role that RDC could assist with is to ensure an up to date calendar of events is maintained and published.
Action: MAJ to discuss practicalities with Cultural Services Officers (Jos Holmes) and Tourism staff (Sarah Ward)

4. North Yorkshire Times
DT advised that the level of presence of Ryedale in the latest NYTimes was vary small.
Action: MAJ to advise RDC Press Officer (Jill Baldwin)

5. Car Parking Trial – Market Place
MAJ confirmed that discussions were ongoing and the RDC’s Community Services & Licensing Committee had authorised officers to formally enter these discussions at the meeting last week.

6. Tourism Literature
MAJ confirmed that Sarah Ward had been in touch with Ambiente re their requirements.

7. St Nicholas Street Car Park – Charging
MAJ confirmed she had asked Commercial Services staff to contact Ian Beecham directly.

8. York House
MAJ confirmed that she did not know what the estate’s plans were for York House.

9. Livestock Market
This was not discussed in any detail.

10. Strategy/Steering Group – the future
MAJ and DT discussed how best future relationships should work between BIA and RDC. MAJ confirmed that she was happy to either attend BIA meetings (or for the most appropriate officers to) or alternatively to meet one to one with the Chairman. DT to seek views at next BIA meeting.

11. Wold Gateway – not discussed

12. A64 Signage – not discussed

Appendix B

Business in Action Report, printed 28/08/2008
Projects Report no. 2008-2 Draft

	Activity Heading	Project Description	Role of BIA	BIA Leader	Lead Organisations	Key Partners	Timescale Short-Medium-Long	Target Implementation date	Present Status
1	Town Signs	Install visitor direction signs to Main Town car parks	Lead	DT / MC	RDC	RDC MTC	Short	Aug-08	Completed July 08
2	Town Shopping Guide	Printed Town Grid - Malton - to update & endorse from Time to time	Lead	MC	BIA	RDC Finance	Short	Aug-08	Completed July 08 & ongoing
3	Town Shopping Guide	Printed Town Grid - Norton - to update & endorse from Time to time	Lead	MC/ZP	Thrive		Short		Zoe refer to Thrive
4	Town Trails	Produce new Town trail for distribution to visitors through TIC Hotels etc.	Lead	MC	BIA		Short	01-Aug-08	Distributed 15 Aug 2008
5	Dickens Promotions	Development of the dickens connection via Chancery Lane	Support	MC	Dickens Society				Planning
6	Dickens Celebration 2008	Dickens Weekend	Lead	SM	??	RDC Thrive	Short	16-Dec-08	Pre-Publicity - JC
7	Diary of events etc in Malton	Publish a calender of events	Lead / Support		RDC	RDC and all town groups	Short	01-Jan-09	Planning
8	Malton Motor Show	Sunday Event to Promote Town	Support / assist	DT / MC	MinsterFM	RDC	Short	07-Sep-08	Planning
9	Malton Ambassador	Meet & Greet & Communicate in the town	Support	DT/MC		RDC	Short	01-Mar-09	Planning
10	M & N Christmas Lights	Display and funding of Lights 2008	Support	DT	Xmas Lights Committee	RDC MTC NTC	Short	01-Dec-08	Planning
11	Car Park issues	To lobby for appropriate cheaper charges in Malton Car Parks	Support	DT	Malton Car Park Action Group	Ryedale District Council Malton TC			Dt requested historic Statistics from M-AJ
11A	Proposed Car Park Trial in Malton Market Place	TBA	Support		RDC
13	Market Place Developments		Lobby
14	Wheelgate Developments		Lobby
15	Livestock Market Developments		Lobby
16	A64 Signage	Improvements to A64 signs - Brown signs etc	Lobby
17	EVENTS	To promote events	Lead and Support	All	Ryedale District Council, MinsterFM, BBC radio York	Rugby club, Milton Rooms, Theatricals, Brass bands, Pickering Showground, Castle Howard etc,.	All
18	Make it Malton / Keep it Local	Branding	Lead?	ZP
19	Coach Companies	Stop off point	Lead	ZP		Ryedale District Council
20		Distribution of info to Visitor centres	Lead	JC		Ryedale District Council			Distribution list / volunteers

Author:Tracey Holroyd
Date:06/08/2008