Minutes 6th March 2001 AGM

Minutes of Meeting on 6 March 2001:
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
CRYSTAL PALACE & NORWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
HELD AT THE PHOENIX COMMUNITY CENTRE

1. PRESENT
Chairman - Doug Barnes - Tamnag Thai
Honorary Secretary - Alan Thompson - ST&T Publishing Ltd
Caroline Streek - Streek's Publicity & Comm/ Business South
Carolyn Howard - The Occasional Half
Geoffrey Gibbs - Gibsons
James Slattery-Kavanagh - Quotes
Lucy Bostock - Orthoclase

2. GUESTS
none

3. APOLOGIES
David Kerr
Pat Ryan
Peter Runacres
Wendy Allen

4. MINUTES OF MEETING 7th November 2000
Proposed: Doug Barnes
Seconded: James Slattery-Kavanagh
The minutes of the Meetings were presented and approved.

5. WELCOME
The chairman welcomed Carolyn Howard from 'The Occasional Half' to the meeting.
Meetings are to be non-smoking. Proposed: DB, Seconded: CS
Annual standing order only fo payment of membership fees. Proposed: GG, Seconded: JSK
Accounts are not ready - there is a possibility that the year end might change to December.

6. CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW
The Chairman noted that good links had been forged with Croydon businesses, traders and senior members of council. These contacts will need to be built on over the next year. The Chamber also holds credibility with police forces in the area.
JSK was proposed as membership secretary with the aim of doubling the membership in the coming year. A transition to Internet for membership will be focused on. JSK will revive the directory, raise the profile of the Chamber and ride on the back of the feedback on the area. Newsletters will be provided and it is hoped that members will promote the Chamber to their colleagues.
The accounts are looking healthy at present.
A speaker specialising in fraud or employment law should come in and talk to the Chamber of Commerce.
GG offered the service of his audio typists to the Chamber.
Underground latest - Transport for London are proceeding with the design and it anticipated that the East London line will be extended to Crystal Palace within five years. Legislation has not been officially approved but is expected that the plans will go through. The Tramlink is not so definite.
It was noted that the criminal element will find it easier with new transport routes to get into the area and cause trouble. No police presence on a Saturday night is available to deal with this problem. Gipsy Hill police station needs to be up and running full time to serve the business community in the triangle; particularly to protect the area from vandalism. CCTV will not deter criminals.
GG raised the issue of used cars messing up parking in Anerley Hill and parking as a general issue. DB assured him that this issue has been addressed by Bromley Council.
The Chamber is trying to set up a business watch with DK in charge in conjunction with the local police forces. CH said Penge pubwatch was not useful for her pub and that she was trying to set up a triangle pubwatch. She also noted that the pubs in Crystal Palace have already established a good rapport with one another. DB suggested radiolink linking into the CCTV and police.
AT suggested enforcement of drinking in the street laws which the police are not in favour of enforcing. Solidarity between the pubs is needed so that customers don't take glasses/drinks out of bars.

7. ACCOUNTS
Peter Runacres was not present so no accounts were prepared.

8. ELECTIONS
Doug Barnes re-elected as Chairman
Proposed: GG
Seconded: JSK
Secretary - Alan Thompson has business commitments, therefore, Lucy Bostock will take over in the interim.
James Slattery-Kavanagh elected as Membership Secretary and Webmaster
Proposed: WA
Seconded: DB
Peter Runacres re-elected as Treasurer
Proposed: CS
Seconded: GG
Bennett Welch re-elected as Honorary Solicitors
Proposed: DB
Seconded: JSK
Caroline Streek elected as Press Officer
Proposed: DB
Seconded: AT

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
GG commented that Doug works very hard and thanked the chairman for his input, he looks forward to the coming year and developments within the Chamber.

8. FUTURE MEETINGS
3 April 2001

Lucy Bostock
Secretary

Signed .................... Date ....................
Doug Barnes
Chairman