Minutes of the Meeting of the
EAST GRINSTEAD COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
held in the Meeting Room, Chequer Mead on 16th March 2004 at 4.00 pm

Present: Don Cooper Chairman
Edward Belsey East Grinstead Town Council
Lee Marmara East Grinstead Town Council
Lorraine Dell-Louth(Alan Lord as alternate for part of meeting) Age Concern East Grinstead
Roger Martell East Grinstead Chamber of Commerce
Dale Bulbrook East Grinstead Chamber of Commerce
Andrew Bass Secretary

There was 1 member of the public and no members of the press present.

1. Apologies:
Apologies were received from Alexandra Durrant, Ryan Swallows, Philip Coote, Virginia Waddingham, and Karen Picksly

2. Minutes of the last Meeting:

The minutes of the meeting of the 27th January 2004 were approved.

3. Matters arising from the minutes

There were no matters arising.

4. Reports from the Working Groups

4.1 Local Environment & Transport (Co-ordinator - Edward Belsey)
A report of the groups meeting on 24th February was presented - copy attached
In addition EB spoke about a transport forum he had attended where several transport experts had spoken and bus companies such as RDH has shown interest in their groups ideas especially around school bussing issues. The association of Town Councils in Mid-Sussex had also expressed interest in some of the suggestions. EB said he hoped to contact the new station manager to build a two-way relationship on EGCP's behalf. Other transport issues in EG were being pursued. The next meeting is scheduled for 30th March at a venue to be confirmed (EB's house?) at 9.00a.m.

4.2 Social & Community (Co-ordinator - Carol Kelly)
The notes of the recent meeting on 27th February were discussed .A copy is attached. Follow up tasks being worked on.
A welcome pack for the Town was being considered as well.
New web sites were being included although it seemed that existing reference points needed researching to see if links/information could be shared.
The Volunteer bureau co-ordinator was visiting the Town Council to give a presentation on April 5th.All were invited to attend.
Next meeting set for April 15th at the CVS office.

4.3 Local Economy (Co-ordinator - Dale Bulbrook)
DB reported that by as series of email conversations a survey form for EG's businesses had been created and put on the website.
It would ask local business how they deal with areas such as recruitment training for existing staff and if the local economy affects their businesses, if at all.
DB was keen to publicise EGCP through the EGCP website/email etc. to Chamber of Commerce members and others.

5. Proposed Constitution
Draft 2 of the constitution was presented for approval. It was agreed that provision for an EGM be included. Appendix A needed to be updated and included also. Other points were discussed but in general members were satisfied with the document. DC to amend as agreed and publish it as the EGCP's constitution.

6. Financial Matters

6.1 Bank Account

It was proposed that the EGCP open a Bank account at Nat West Bank in London Road East Grinstead so it could receive the grant monies.
The signatories to be any two of the following: Don Cooper, Andrew Bass and Roger Martell.
Proposed by Edward Belsey and seconded by Dale Bulbrook and agreed by all present.
The annual grant income agreed to be £4,000 per annum - £1,000 for the first quarter of 2004.

6.2 Honorarium -Secretary/Treasurer

It was agreed that the post holder should be paid an honorarium of £500 per annum, effective from January 2004. Any review would be would take effect from the start of the financial year.
A proposal put by Don Cooper, seconded by Edward Belsey was agreed.

7. Any other business - Items previously notified to the Chair.

None

8. Meeting Schedule -
Working groups:
Local Environment & Transport - 30th March 04 at 9.00a.m.
Venue TBA.
Social & Community - 15thApril 04 at 10.00a.m.
Venue CVS's offices, East Court.

9. Date of Next Partnership Committee Meeting

April 27th 2004 at Chequer Mead, meeting room, at 4.00p.m.

Meeting concluded at 4.56 p.m.