27/1/09
1 Welcome and apologies – AH LW RD WR JC DH MA TR
Val Twigg has resigned from the executive committee of the business club because of other commitments. She will be will be missed and has been a exec member for many years.
2 Minutes to the last meeting checked and agreed.
3 Treasurer’s report Balance of the account currently stands at £XXXX of which £XXXX is funding for project pretty and taking into account one outstanding invoice the balance is £XXXX.
Grantham Business Club is now registered for VAT. There was no newsletter in January but this will resume in February.
4 Membership Numbers – This currently stands at approximately 79 and there were one or two enquiries after the last open meeting.
5 Debrief of January open meeting – This was a very successful meeting, it was exceedingly well attended. The table arrangement was very good and encouraged interaction between members. The venue EM Centre for Learning is excellent although a little out of the way. There were minor problems with the lighting and projector RD suggests the business club take there own projector next time.
6 Potential Speakers for the February Meeting – Adrian Peck was very well received at the January Meeting and LW suggests it would be good to have another inspirational speaker. She suggested Jackie Dunn and is an IFA who talks on financial coaching or John Davis of get the edge. SF suggested someone to speak on recession related topics. TR said an informational speaker to talk about grants and help which may be available to small businesses. LW felt that a mentoring network would be beneficial to GBC members. JC said that because Januarys speaker was so well received he thought it would be a good idea to have a series of inspiring speakers to help members cope with the current climate. It was agreed that this would be a good idea. LW will contact several such speakers with a view to arranging speakers for the next 4 months. It was agreed that this would take the pressure off the committee as it would one item less to sort out at meetings.
Bijal of Specsavers has been allocated the members spot and Maria from action for employment will take the March members Spot.
8 VAT on subscriptions – VAT will be paid on 50% of members subscription as 50% relates to the news letters which are Zero Rated. MA suggests we collect £55 an increase of £5 and make the subscriptions inclusive of VAT. This will make the subscriptions simpler but will mean issuing new Standing Order mandates for renewals.
9 Project Pretty Update, roundabouts, shop wrap, gateways and signage The 2008 agenda remains in place for 2009. The roundabouts now have the licenses in place and Sponsors, Duncan & Topliss, Chandlers oil and gas and Trust Insurance. Designs are promised for the end of January. The roundabouts should be ready for Easter.
Shop wrap is now available and unfortunately the vacated Woolworths premises will be one of the first empty premises to be wrapped. Landlords of empty properties have been approached.
Project pretty have suggested a theme for the Gateways and sign posts. This have now been adopted by SKDC. Simon Cole of Chandlers made a tour of the town centre to asses the situation in regard to tidying. Hanging baskets and floral displays are planned for Westgate and High Street. It is felt that the Project has gone very well and that the committee have achieved a lot.
10 New members/members pack and members directory – AH has a proto type for a cardboard folder to hold the GBC discount card, car stickers, back issued news letters and a members directory. TR suggests the business packs be sent out to existing members ahead of membership renewal or with the renewal invoices. If the packs are ready they will be made available for members to collect at the next meeting which will save on postage.
11 Four-way open meeting invitation: email, text newsletter and personal call – The cost of a package to text members is £100 which gives 250 texts with additional texts available at a charge per message.
Committee to take a number of members each and to ring round reminding members and asking them to attend.
TR suggest that because it was such an enjoyable meeting Januarys open meeting should be reported in the news letter along with an advert for the February meeting.
12 GBC Commercial revenue committee – AH suggest a separate committee to raise revenue for the Club as this was more important than just another item on the agenda. This was now well received as several members felt this could be dealt with at the exec meeting. AH said that increasing revenue would be vital if the GBC were to be involved in the Grantham Business Awards next year. TR suggests were create another position on the exec committee for the revenue raiser, and suggest this should be offered to Bejal because he is keen to involved in the GBC.
13 Any Other Business – SF mentioned call and emails he had from an individual who wants to raise 36K in funds so their daughters can take part in motor racing. AH had been approached by someone else who want to raise funds to attend the Olympics. It was suggested that while the GBC was sympathetic to people wishing to raise funds it could not offer slots for people to speak at the meeting for this purpose. However it was that such requests could be dealt with by providing a spot in the news letter on the web site.
GBC swimmathon teams are in place one from John Cussell on from Coxs and the other made of GBC members. JC will email members.
0845 481 09 09
Grantham Business Club