The group
met on Wednesday 27th May at the National Maritime Museum, Cornwall.
Attendees
- Mike Jenks
- Mike Reynolds
- Gary Tranter
- Christopher Smith
- Candy Atherton
- Andy Coote (Chair)
Apologies
from
- Jilly Easterby (has left FXPlus - replacement requested)
- Jonathan Griffin
- Richard Doughty
- Roger Andrew
Andy
Coote announced that he would be stepping down as Chair after this meeting
He asked
the group to consider if FTF is still needed in the present climate and, if so,
for suggestions for Chair to continue the group. He stressed that the main
reasons for stepping down were part personal and part that his current activity
meant he was less connected with events in Falmouth. He felt the Chair of this
group should be closer to the Town's communities and authorities.
In course
of discussion the following points were made -
FTF has
been useful as a two way sounding board and communications route for FTC
FTF has
been useful for collecting, honing and developing opinions from the Town's
interested communities.
There
have been frustrations in areas such as the Dredging of the Port. There is
still good reason to hope for a green light from the MMO in the short to medium
term. The issue will then be one of funding. Cornwall Council have removed
their capital reserve for this project from budget, though it is possible it
can be returned there. Private sector funding is also critical and was in place
some time ago, though it may be less certain currently.
The
Article 4 direction and Neighbourhood Plan process is under way and long term.
It will need advocates and supporters during this process and FTF may perform
that function.
FTC has
been challenged as local government and localism has changed what it offers and
how. That has necessarily turned the thoughts of councillors inward. As the new
approach becomes normal practice, there will be a need again for a sounding
board and support mechanism.
New
issues for the town are also arising. The nighttime economy and reductions in
Police numbers are creating some major issues in the Town Centre in the early
hours.
It was
agreed that FTF should continue and that a reduction of the meeting frequency
may help to get more people into the room at meetings. We also need to consider
better PR to raise the profile of the Forum. Three big meetings were proposed
to take place in February/March, June/July and September/October with Task and
Finish groups set up to carry forward projects between meetings.
The
agenda needs to be structured to include a regular report from FTC and also
from the BID.
The
meeting scheduled for 9th September should be the next meeting date. Candy
Atherton will present on the Town Councils plans as she was surprised that a
number of the plans were news to the Forum. The meeting scheduled for 8th July
is cancelled.
No new
Chairman was appointed, partly given the numbers present. Andy Coote will ask
Steve Gray, as Deputy Chair to step up and chair the next meeting and to
initiate a search for a new Chair.
The
meeting thanked Andy for his period as Chair.
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