Thursday 9 May 2013

Meeting - May 2013

Roland Tiplady
Roland is chairman of international surveyors Ward Williams and a new and local member of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). It is early days but what attracted him about the job (5 hours a month) is the emphasis on allowing business people to take decisions about business, avoiding the over-protective hand of the public sector. Cornwall is fortunate as Cornwall Council supports the LEP. The LEP is not just the RDA in disguise.

Two major projects face the LEP. There will be a new round or EU European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) money for 2014 to 2020 with a strategy needed in September this year. Secondly, Michael Heseltine's proposals will be implemented. These will require the LEP to bid for money from government departments who will inevitably want to control what it is spent on. CC will write the cheques, supported by Cornwall Development Company which is funded by CC and European money to work on LEP activity.

Roland is involved on the 'Business is growing' sub group. Cornish businesses are generally very small and want to expand but often do not believe that it is possible or don't know how to do it. To be successful in Cornwall you actually have to be better than people in London - that is the nature of the 'small village' environment of Cornwall. We must stop thinking that people across the Tamar automatically know better. To survive in Cornwall often means you are fitter than those across the river.

Roland also has responsibility for CDC and their inward and outward investment agency. CDC is attracting investment into Cornwall. He believes it is necessary to have a London office for Cornwall to establish a presence and attract investment.

He remains mystified why there is no European support for tourism. European policies cannot possibly know what is best for Cornwall. If people have an idea then they should put it up. The LEP wants partners and is not hidebound by rules about supporting individual companies. Also, if companies are put-off by form filling and procedures then CDC has people who are paid to help with such things.

The chairman welcomed him to the Forum and thanked him for his contribution.

County and Town elections
The local elections had created something of a new landscape for the town with some new faces. Cornwall Council, meanwhile, was still sorting out its leadership.

It was unclear who would be nominated to attend the Forum from the two Councils but it was hoped that they would be regeneration-focused individuals and a co-operative and constructive atmosphere.

Cornwall Local Plan
Both the Forum and the Civic Society had submitted responses to the consultation. The status of the Plan was unclear. It was assumed that the new County administration would be submitting it for approval by Westminster but there was pessimism about its likely reception. There appeared to be a determination in Westminster on insisting on greater levels of development than were suggested in the Plan. Growth had been a key issue in the recent elections.  

Falmouth First CIC
This was now up and running and had held its first event: Pier Break. This had been organised by a group of University students, supported by the Town & BID Managers, and had provided an 'easy going' surf style event in aid of charity. It was extremely well run, sensitive to the pier environment - e.g. noise & alcohol control - and for its size, hugely successful. It had also provided a platform for a deeper, long term relationship between the CIC and the University(s). Other activities are in the pipeline for later in the month for the Fal River festival and later in the year. Planning is even under way for Tall Ships 2014.

Sam Groom and Paul Wickes have joined the board. The CIC is still seeking talented volunteers, willing and able to help manage events.

Forum Constitution
Work on this was delayed pending the development of the two Councils.

Dredging 
We understand that the results of the trial dredge will be made available around September. A decision may take longer.

Forum bank account
A small sum was still available in the Forum's account. In order to close this, a worthy cause was needed. Although a number of short-term projects could usefully benefit, there was a feeling that it should go to something sustained and it was agreed to pass the ca £500 across to the BID for spending on the public realm improvements.

The Chair would write a letter to Pub Watch encouraging them to contribute funding to help manage the impact of the night time economy.

Sainsburys
It appeared unlikely that the Sainsbury development would break ground in 2013. Everyone is blaming everyone else for the delay.

Shorts
  • Cornwall Marine Network has secured money to help the police establish a marine crime unit
  • The Park Live event in Kimberley Park, driven by Source FM with support from a variety of people and organisations - including the Town Council, Falmouth University and Townsends - had been hugely successful. The Town Council is trying to get the stage made permanent
  • The Falmouth Week Carnival would mark the Marine Band's 25th birthday and there was an ambition to achieve 1,000 marchers on the evening. All were encouraged to participate
  • The new BIDs signing around the town was being installed 
Annual General Meeting
The AGM followed. Nominations had been received for Andy Coote to take over the chair of the Forum. The out-going chair was thanked for his contribution.

The humble scribe was told he should carry on tapping away to prevent him being otherwise disruptive.

Those attending
Cornwall Marine Network - Paul Wickes
Falmouth Business Club - Andy Coote
Falmouth Exeter Plus - Jilly Easterby
Falmouth Town Council - Mark Williams
Federation of Small Business - Caroline Robertson
Local Enterprise Partnership - Roland Tiplady
National Maritime Museum Cornwall - Jonathan Griffin
RCPS - Mike Jenks
RIBA - Chris Smith (chair)