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1.
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Welcome and
Apologies
The Chairman
welcomed members and apologies were received from Cllrs Steve
and Karen Griffin, Steve Junge, Somerfield and Webbs Jewellers.
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ACTION
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2.
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Minutes of Previous Meeting
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2.1
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Item 2.2 –
Art from Recycled waste
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Douglas Rimmer
requested thanks be passed on to those who had contributed to
this project. Annette agreed to action
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Annette Le Breton
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Item 2.3 –
Gillingham High Street Market.
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Nothing to report.
Responsibility now passed to Economic Development (David Candlin).
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2.3
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Item 2.4 - Pigeons
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ALB reported
that signage is going to be improved but control carries a price
tag.
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2.4
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Item 2.8 – Scaffolding
PC Reynolds has spoken to the landlord who has assured him that
the scaffolding will be removed.
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2.5
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Item 2.9 – Street Broadcast
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This
was refused at Committee on 30.11.05, on the grounds of a) visual
clutter in the high street and b) highway safety because of their
size.
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2.6
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Item 2.11 – Green Street Post Office
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No further
information. Cllr Juby
had been unable to find anyone to provide a definitive statement.
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2.7
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Item 2.12 – Meat Van
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Annette
reported this was being handled by Environmental Health.
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2.8
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Item 4 - Christmas Lights Switch-On Friday 25 November 2005
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The Chairman
reported very positive feedback on the switch-on stating that
it was said to have been the best-attended event of the towns.
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2.9
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Item 5 - Children In Need – Friday 16 November 2005
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Mr Macpherson
reported that Medway had raised £64,000 in total, with £40K coming
from Gillingham of which £400 was from the retailers.
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2.10
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Item 6 - Forum Issues
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For the benefit
of those not present at the last meeting the Chairman briefly
outlined the parking rebate scheme.
The parking issues were debated, with retailers expressing
their dissatisfaction at the current parking regulations and their
effect on trade. Mr Yeoman of KFC reported that after a half-million pound refurbishment
to the Gillingham Shop, it was now losing £4K/week in lost trade
because of parking restrictions and was, in effect, being subsidised
by the other shops in the South East.
In addition double yellow lines are preventing deliveries
to businesses – in short Gillingham businesses are suffering!
Cllr July explained
that the scheme was resident driven, mainly because since Medway
Hospital introduced pay-parking, hospital visitors were parking
in the streets leaving nowhere for residents and he emphasised
that many residents are in favour.
Furthermore he claimed that response to public consultation
had been very poor.
Phil Plaistow,
Medway Print stated that the Council could not be entirely blamed
as it was implementing Government policy to remove traffic from
town centres. Cllr Juby added that previous residents
parking schemes had been subsidised by the Council but now Government
requires them to be self-funding.
Cllr Juby asked
members to write individual letters of protest to the Leader of
the Council, Cllr Rodney Chambers, at the Civic Centre, Strood,
Rochester, Kent ME2 4AU, making sure to copy in the ward councillors.
The names of the Councillors can be obtained from the Civic
Centre or from Medway Matters.
Mr Rimmer from
Timpsons stated he would be also writing to Medway Hospital.
It was agreed
that a further meeting be arranged with Council officers, including
the Head of Parking Services, the Portfoilio Holder for Transport,
Ward Councillors present to answer retailers’ concerns.
This meeting was provisionally arranged for 6.00 pm, Tuesday
24th January 06, at Nesse’s Café, 11 Canterbury Street.
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Annette Le Breton
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2.11
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Annette
advised that the new traffic regulation order was now operating. Deadline for comments is 11 January 06.
Failure to submit comments will result in the order being
publicised for a 21-day period, before coming into force.
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Following
consultation with residents and retailers on how to spend the
ODPM money, three most popular options emerged and will be followed
up:
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Annette Le Breton
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Markets - Item 8.1
Retailers
reported that Market traders are still causing problems by obstructing
shop fronts and entrances with their vans.
Retailers felt that the council is not doing enough to
police the market and they requested that the Market Officer be
present at setting-up.
It was also reported
that the market stalls are clearing away early, contravening the
loading restrictions. In
addition, in the last five weeks the High Street has not been
cleaned after the market.
Annette agreed
to contact David Candlin and try to arrange an additional meeting
on 7th February to discuss the market issues; attendees
to include the relevant council officers, Councillors and the
market operator and toby.
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Annette Le Breton
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3
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Any Other Business
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3.1
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3.2
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Carol
Welch asked if there were ‘No
waiting at any time’ signs at both ends of the High Street and
if so, what does this mean and what about Market Traders.
Annette agreed to seek clarification and report back. .
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Annette Le Breton
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3.3
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It was
questioned whether the CCTV cameras in the High Street are being
monitored. The Chairman confirmed that they are monitored
by two people.
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Ann Mutter
30.12.2005
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