North East Copeland Business Forum in Association with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.

Minutes of meeting 2nd December 2008
At The Grove Court Hotel, Cleator

Meeting commenced;        1730 hours

Apologies;        Cllr Patricia Sharkey,   Cllr Adam Brunton,     Mr. Will Rawling.

Present;             Richard Mulholland (Chairman), Don Graham (Cumbria Chamber of Commerce),  Sarah Mitchell (Manager, Regeneration North East Copeland),  Alan Hurton (RNEC),  Mike Stuart (Action 4 Employment Enterprise),  Sarah Asquith-Vallance (A4E Enterprise), Helen Gregg  (CO-OP store),  Donna Bewsher (Princes Trust Administrator), Julia McCracken (Walkmill Designers), John Bruckshaw (Parkside Hotel), Gerry Wilson (Methodist Minister),  Hilary Wilson, Tony Hume (Youth Hostel Association Ennerdale), Peter Fox (Sharp Edge),  Richard Wood (Artist), Joe Human (Fairtrade association).
Introduction;

Richard Mulholland greeted and welcomed everybody to the meeting, thanking them for attending on a very cold night.

Richard explained that Copeland Borough Council in compliance with government requirement/s are making changes to the local planning procedures. The work previously delivered within the “Local Plan” is now to be replaced by the Local Development Framework (LDF).  Consultants have been engaged by Copeland B.C to implement these changes. This new service will deliver a more in depth public consultation and involvement and a wider approach to planning.  It will make the preparation of development plans and other non-statutory documents quicker and more flexible with full community involvement. Richard would discuss with Copeland Borough Council any concerns or questions raised by the group on this matter.
Richard introduced the new North East Copeland regeneration web site :   www.necopeland.co.uk which albeit is still in development is available and contains preliminary business addresses. All business forum members should visit the site and add or update their details.

Richard explained that the Forum would like to attract further local businesses into the group and that if anybody knew of other interested parties to let him know and they would be invited to the next meeting.

Richard informed the group that he would welcome any suggestions with regards to concerns by forum members or guest speakers to attend future meetings; If anybody had a matter to discuss or speaker in mind he would make suitable arrangements.

Regen NE Copeland Updates;
Sarah introduced Alan Hurton to the group as a new member of RNEC, taking on the full time post in the role of Regeneration Support Officer.
Sarah advised the meeting that RNEC still have finances available for face lifts to buildings and a small amount for building up-grades.  An extension for use of the funding had been granted until the end of February 2009. Anyone interested should contact the RNEC office on 019460816708.
Work was progressing with regards to upgrading Cleator Moor Square through Cumbria County Council, Copeland Borough Council, the Town Council and RNEC It is envisaged that the buildings would become a central hub to the community incorporating a variety of services in the form of a One Stop Shop.   The scheme was still open to suggestions so that if anybody had any ideas for its use, or areas of use, then if they could let us know, consideration would be given to all thoughts.

Fairtrade;
Richard introduced Joe Human to the meeting.  Joe is the Co-ordinator for the Cumbria Fairtrade Foundation network. He spoke to the group extolling the virtue of the Foundation and how benefits can be gained by local businesses and the local business area through dealing with Fairtrade products and also how through our endeavours and use of their products we can greatly assist the developing world.
Joe explained to the meeting that The Fairtrade Foundation was established in 1992 and the vision of the foundation is for a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practises so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent livelihood and develop their full potential.
Joe explained that Fairtrade is now a global movement with over 21 countries in the world supporting the Foundation.  In this country there are over 4,000 trade items available under the Fairtrade banner. These items are highlighted by the Fairtrade logo and are available nationwide from the larger stores down to many local shops.  The Co-op was the first store in the country to support the Foundation and to date they are still at the fore front of the providers.
A selection of goods currently supplied by the Co-op had been brought along by Helen Gregg from Cleator Moor Co-op, these were displayed, ranging from wines to table clothes and many food stuffs.
Helen stated that the local store sold a large variety of Fairtrade produce they were all instantly recognisable with the logo and readily available to customers.  All of the products were popular, favourably priced and constantly sought after.
Peter Fox highlighted that many of the local businesses sell locally produced goods and that although they are not Fairtrade goods the spirit of Fairtrade is encompassed.
Rev Gerry Wilson asked the stance of world banks towards the Foundation. Joe replied that the world banks had no involvement in the scheme.
Richard asked how we could help locally as a group or area.
Alan explained that Cllr Keith Hitchen, the mayor of Copeland, is looking to have the Borough of Copeland titled as a Fairtrade Borough, the first of its kind in the country. This would require that most of the borough towns and parishes be classified as Fairtrade areas. It was agreed that through the Business Forum NE Copeland should sign up to this idea and support the Fairtrade Foundation and Cllr Hitchen’s plan.  It was agreed that Alan, Peter Fox, Donna Bewsher and Rev Gerry Wilson would get together after Christmas to pursue this project.      Anyone that wishes to be further involved should contact Alan Hurton on 01946 816708.

Richard thanked Joe for his presentation.

A.O.B.
No other business matters were raised.

Meeting closed at 1910 hours.