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The EGBA has raised the concerns of its members with the transport planning department of WSCC in a constructive way by making a proposal that sought a balance between all the conflicting issues inherent in finding a solution to such a difficult and contentious problem.

A summary of where we now find ourselves is set out in a November update on this issue on the EGBA website, and members are invited, after having read this, to make comment or proffer advice as to how we should proceed from here through the website’s forum, and we will undertake to respond to their views and take forward any consensus position amongst members that might evolve.
 

This Alliance between the Haywards Heath and District Business Association (HHDBA), the Burgess Hill Business Parks Association (BHBPA), the Burgess Hill Chamber of Trade and the EGBA was formed to improve communications between our respective organisations, create where possible a single coherent voice for business and to assist the District Council in working constructively with just one business entity towards solutions on common problems.

The November update on the EGBA website will appraise members of the progress we are making in this direction, and again, any comments or feedback from members would be welcomed.
 

This meeting took place on Tuesday 17th November at the Alexander House Hotel and was well attended with over forty members present. The first part of the meeting dealt with the formalities of an AGM, namely a review of the Association’s finances which are sound despite some exceptional expenses associated with the upgrading of our website, and the launching of the Loyalty Card initiative, and the appointment of new Executive Members in accordance with the constitution. The new membership of the Executive Committee and the three sectional sub-committees for 2010, as announced at the AGM, are now available on the EGBA website.

The Chief Executive then presented a summary of the activities of the association over the last twelve months, which were structured under ten headings and took an hour to present. He then called for membership feedback on any or all of these activities, and for some guidance on where the membership want the association’s energies directed in 2010.

This lead to a lively discussion and to some very clear directives for next year. The membership were clearly supportive on the progress achieved in 2009, and endorsed the initiatives with WSCC and MSDC which they saw as longer term, and an investment in creating productive relationships for the future. They clearly sought some shorter term goals for 2010, and some more tangible and measurable successes on the ground.

The membership wanted EGBA to take a more positive role in seeking to maximise the benefits that could accrue from the arrival of the Bluebell Railway next year. This they felt was much too big a potential benefit for retailers in particular, but for business in general, for the business community not to be taking a leading role.

There was also a view expressed that the EGBA could do more to generate a culture of “keeping it local” whereby all local businesses as well as residents automatically attempt to source their needs locally before taking their enquiries further afield.
 

The Mid Sussex Alliance of Business Associations met with the Leader and Chief Executive of MSDC at the end of October in a very positive meeting that has hopefully set the stage for how “local business” and the Council can constructively work together for the benefit of the whole community.

It was agreed that the four priority issues that need immediate focus and attention are:

o Development of an economic development strategy for the district
o A better and agreed tariff structure for the Council car parks
o Promoting inward investment
o Promoting the three town centres.

Working groups have now to be agreed to identify how to give effect to this, and it was agreed to meet every six months to revue the progress achieved.
 

The Alliance is now at work with the District Council’s economic development team to develop a five year District Council EDS that has full business support. This strategy is conceived as being made up of a number of key objectives each of which will be broken down into its five or six component parts. Then for each year of the five year strategy an action programme can be produced with, where possible, identified measurable parameters by which to monitor progress.

Thus, each year action can be targeted and progress measured towards ultimately achieving real progress on the key objectives identified in the strategy.

The Association has agreed to work with both the District and Town Councils on a plan to do something to minimise the downside effect of empty shops on our town centre. It was at first felt that East Grinstead was suffering more empty shops than other South Eastern market towns, but this is clearly not the case. In fact just recently there are signs of movement, and the situation might be improving.

We have the benefit of reviewing the attempts of both Brighton and Eastbourne, who have mounted quite impressive measures to overcome the negative impact these empty shops have on a town, and we propose to research what would be most appropriate and cost effective for our town over the Christmas period, with a view to making decisions in January, and putting them into effect in hopefully February and March next year.
 

Members’ attention is drawn to the EGBA’s newly upgraded website for which a priority was to ensure that it was both clear and unconfused, and simple to negotiate and use. We very much hope that you feel that this has been achieved.

A second priority was to include a “forum” and to bring an interactive dimension to the website both for members and for the committees that run the Association. The forum can be used in many ways. It can provide a communication tool between the executive committee and the three sub-committees. It can also provide the membership with a structured means of discussing and debating the issues that are currently live for the Association and raising new issues with committee members.

For those less than familiar with on-line forums it will need some exploring and experimentation, but it will repay time spend getting the hang of it, and we very much hope that the membership will use it to promote their views and exchange ideas on some of the issues we have to find solutions for.

The annual Xmas Lunch will be held at the Felbridge Hotel on Tuesday 15th December from 12-2pm. The cost is only £28.00 and forms have been sent out to members by email. Can you please ensure that we have these returned by 1st December as we need to let the hotel know your catering requirements by then.

The chosen charity for this years raffle is the Town Museum. We would be grateful for any raffle prizes for this – could you kindly let Caroll know if you are able to donate a prize – or offer financial incentive to procure suitable prizes.
Please complete and get your forms back asap.
 

Requests the pleasure of the company of all EGBA members on Thursday 26th November, 12.30pm for 1.00pm

At Jeremy’s restaurant, Borde Hill.
The lunch is hosted by The Hon Nicholas Soames MP, and Chairman of the EGBA.
The Guest Speaker will be Mr Rupert Soames - Chief Executive of Aggreko
Lounge Suits………Tickets £65……..Application to Mr Martyn Vernon-Smith 01444 452590
 

Mid Sussex District Council has just launched a new on-line business directory for Mid Sussex. This is a fully researchable database of approximately 3,500 businesses located within the district. It will be an invaluable source of information for business contacts in mid Sussex. It will also be a valuable reference for residents wishing to source local products and services.

The directory will be continuously updated, and will also serve as a link to a host of advice, information and services available to Mid Sussex businesses. Mid Sussex companies of all types and sizes are invited to register onto the directory now, or to update the company’s details if it is already included. Each company can upload its own details, logos and any other appropriate material relating to their business. And its all free.

To register or update information go to www.midsussex.gov.uk/businessdirectory and follow the instructions on the screen. For more information contact Steve Tilbury, Economic Development Officer at MSDC on 01444 477347 of email SteveT@midsussex.gov.uk
 

Enter your descriptionFor over 20 years Shell Step has led the way in providing enterprising graduates for project based placements in small businesses. Backed by Shell and the Government, and working in partnership with the Government’s Graduate Talent Pool Initiative, the programme allows a company the flexibility to trial a candidate for a potential permanent position with no long term recruitment commitment, or to tap into a flexible resource for the business when a need arises.
For more information contact www.shellstep.org.uk or email enquiries@shellsteo.org.uk or call 0844 248 8242.

Enter your descriptionGraduateOn is a new initiative addressing the need to support businesses in the economic down turn and to promote and support the retention of graduates in the region. It will run for 18 months and is led by the University of Chichester College and West Sussex County Council.

A low risk and potentially low cost way of getting dedicated and skilled effort onto your business projects and help make graduates more employable at this difficult time. 12 week placements after a three day motivational course, and with coaching from trained professionals throughout their placement period.

Contact Barbara Mathews, Work Placement Co-ordinator, Chichester College 01243 786321 or email Barbara.mathews@chichester.ac.uk

Enter your descriptionThe Department for Business Innovation and Skills has tasked Business Link to set up this new service which has three functions;-

• Identify and monitor those businesses which are suffering from disruptive changes in their banking terms and conditions.
• Help from Business Link Advisers with a financial background for those businesses affected.
• Intensive support and mediation between business and its bank where such intervention is likely to achieve a positive and workable outcome for both parties.

If your business could seriously benefit from such assistance call Business Link on 0845 600 9006 .

 St Mary’s Primary School is holding a fund raising event and seeks business support in the form of:

 Purchase of advertising space in their Christmas Fayre programme
 Sponsor a stall at the Fayre
 Provide a prize or service for the Raffle or Silent Auction.

If you have, or have had connections with the school you may like to lend some timely support for a very worthy local cause, contact: Alison Tarada on 01342 315479