At it’s July meeting the Chamber Council received reports on the meeting with DDC leader & officers, council budget restrictions, abandonment of schools merger, Hadlow College interest in Fowlmead, ambulance base relocations, police personnel changes. refurbishment of history information boards, success of Open Studios event and sign ups for Stranger in the Window. It agreed attendance for a meeting with Network Rail director, to complain to KCC leader for not consulting us on SEEDA replacement, our responses to consultations on High St/King St. parking restrictions & LDF site allocations, to ask DDC & police for decision on who could enforce litter penalties for feeding the pigeons, promotion programme for CCTV breakfast meeting, date for quiz night at the RMA 2nd September and to join Mercury & Deal Town Council for photo competition with winning pictures to be used on our website. Also discussed breaches of dog fouling regulations, power supplies for High Street performers, next steps on South St. project, responses from MP to lobbying on NI relief and High Speed trains and the ongoing Maritime Museum dispute, and approved 3 new members.

At the June meeting of the Chamber Council new member Andy Stevens was co-opted onto the Council to help with PR. Members discussed risks to Christmas lights wiring by Festival flags, next steps on improving South Street including a shared space option, access to power supplies in the precinct for performers, lack of response to High Speed Train meeting requests, the reputation damage caused by the Maritime Museum’s fence, how to best use the offers of tourism help and the shopping survey results. Reports were received that  the precinct obelisk would be demolished the next day, appeals against the High Street & Queen Street rating lists had been submitted, the Summer Ball had raised £750, of two more incidents of shop window breakings, three new & imminent business openings and that construction was expected to start soon on Minter’s Yard units. It was agreed to lobby our MP & government that Dover and Thanet should not be excluded from the NI relief scheme for new business available outside the south-east due in the budget and ask Dover & Thanet Chambers to join in, to start recruiting for Stranger in the Window and investigate the use of Facebook & Twitter by the Chamber.

At it’s October meeting the Council agreed arrangements for the Auction, to amend our insurance cover, our attendees for the flood defence consultation, to pursue the hosting of a walking exchange day with France, to organise a members breakfast meeting on rate valuation increases with the VOA and one new member. Reports were received on Christmas lights and switch on arrangements including loan of a cherry picker by Chris Gray & grant funded new light weight stage roof structure but a temporary tarpaulin was needed. Also from the LDF public examination a mixed response necessitated a reinforcement of our views of the need for an access road. A possible golf day and VIC leaflet restrictions were discussed and next year’s budget held over to the next meeting. More reports were noted on lobbying on High Speed trains, 2010 Travel Show arrangements, questionable activities at Deal Town Council and changes and prospects on the shopping front including the sad death of the member from Audio ICE.

At it’s September meeting the Council progressed arrangements for the auction, discussed the Chamber’s role at Christmas and decided to produce a leaflet emphasising the Christmas Lights funding plight, resulting from grant changes, for distribution at the switch on at which a collection would be made. £187 had already been raised from light bulbs sponsors at the Braderie. Discussed CRB constraints on involving youth mayors at Chamber events, pre Christmas free parking requests, the success and future of the street entertainment program, action to be taken to counter the potentially adverse impact of the proposed timetabling for High Speed trains, English Heritage's response to our concerns about the availability of our castles, Visitor Information Centre policy to refuse business brochures and the need for an early budget forecast in view of our cash flow. Received reports that delegates would attend the Local Development Framework hearings, the pigeon feeding notices had had some effect, on member contributions to Walmer in Bloom, of a resignation and further controversy at Deal Town Council, some recent business failures and the valuable impact of visitors for the Fowlmead walking event and so discussed how the Walkers are Welcome scheme might be extended to cycling, a market which members reported to be buoyant.  Agreed it was time to request the next periodic meeting with the DDC leader and his senior team and to progress work on the proposed new logo as presented. Also, approved two new members and welcomed news of Hadlow College’s interest in the Betteshanger colliery site.

17/8/09

At it’s August meeting the Council agreed to put an increase in subscriptions (£25 solo trader, £30 small business & £50 larger) for 2010 to the membership by way of extraordinary meeting 19th October, Clarendon Hotel. Also to apply to the Neighbourhood Forum for a grant for a new stage canopy so iit is then light enough to hire out, eblast members with link to news reports of Council meetings, express a preference for the one way option on the HighSt/Park St consultation and remove those with unpaid subscriptions from the web directory. This year Christmas trees would be extended to The Strand and light strings across South St. and the public invited to sponsor a light bulb at the Braderie. Street entertainment issues were discussed as were member communications and the opening of, and events at, the castles. Reports were received on the early introduction of  high speed trains, plans for the merger of Castle & Walmer schools, the slow response to Harship Relief applications, Spirit of Deal art diplays, a marketing initiative by Sandwich Chamber which we could benefit from or adapt, police action on a forged £50 note racket and pickpocketing, a complaint about public conveniences and there would be a new town centre constable.

At the May Council meeting Peter Varrall was re-elected Chairman. It was agreed to chase DDC for pigeon signs and that Vicky Hooper will take on the role of High Street liaison. Council members will review Articles of Association with a view to bringing forward changes if a revision would have benefits. A change of venue and nature of the Auction was discussed to raise more funds following last year’s shortfall as well as maximising grant opportunities. A review of subscriptions will be placed on the August agenda, it being the last opportunity to make a change before 2011. Reports were received of the Art in Shops project, high speed rail link, Kent Festival of Architecture, Walkers are Welcome, Tourism Network, and the impact of free parking.

When Emma Barton (Snow White at the Marlowe panto but best known as Honey in Eastenders) switched on the Christmas lights in Deal at 7.20pm Deal became the first town where all the main displays were lit by full size LED bulbs. Over 700 coloured bulbs were strung across the main shopping streets of the town by volunteers from Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade, but each section now uses less electricity than an old 40w bulb. The decision to switch to LED was made to pre-empt the government’s phased withdrawal of incandescent bulbs and take advantage of the benefits of advancing technology as soon as commercially available.Because LEDs produce less heat, bulbs don’t need to be made of glass and the new bulbs are also more reliable as well as robust so they can be stored ready to go straight up next year. Although the switch has involved a significant investment the Chamber expects to recoup the expense in lower electricity bills and replacement costs. 60 Christmas trees have also been put up, lit with miniature LEDs which have been used since last year.

The large crowd who turned up also enjoyed music from Black Catt and the appearence of Father Christmas with the Carnival Court.  Many tucked into to the Hog Roast – what a fantastic start for the Christmas Season and a bit of joy in the economic gloom. Our thanks goes out to all the volunteers who faced the winter weather to make sure everything was in place for the switching on ceremony.

At the November Council meeting concerns about and plans for the Saturday market were discussed. Reports were received on progress of the waste cooking oil recycling scheme, school golf, seasonal ice rink for Walmer Green, two forthcoming retail closures and two restaurant openings and that morning's meeting with DDC leader & senior officers with news of £100,000 allocated by KCC to study access & flood defence issues arising from the LDF, parking charges to be frozen for two years, waste collection, Streetscene and plans for the Quarterdeck, Astor Theatre & Betteshanger Industrial Estate. Concerns were noted over parking congestion outside the new pharmacy and surgery in Canada Road and raised over the town council plans for a Celebration of the Sea festival, the sea front Christmas tree and expenditure on an events calender. New members Reeds Florist and The Original Factory shop were approved and Vicky Hooper of Hoopers Interiors co-opted onto the Council. It was decided to take up the free offer from Relax to help with the website and the page access report noted. Arrangements for the Christmas lights switch on were finalised.

At the September Council meeting reports were received on the developer contributions consultation, that the Lottery bid had been submited, that SITA had agreed to deliver green sacks for cash on delivery and a members internet forum had been set up. It was agreed that a firmer line be taken over unpaid subscriptions, that Bank House's phone be given out as the Chamber's contact when required and to contact Original Factory Shop about Christmas lights continuity and Philip Green of Arcadia to help him relocate Dorothy Perkins within Deal. Complaints were noted about vandalism and beach hut encroachment by Walmer Green and arrangements for manning the Chamber's stand at the Braderie were finalised. At the conclusion of the meeting Ian Draper stood down as Administrator to be replaced by Sue Bennett.