Agenda and minutes

Katy Woolcott was confirmed as the Vice-Chairman of the Bromley Economic Partnership.

Apologies had been received from Katy Woolcott, London Biggin Hill Airport, Liz Waghorn, Jobcentre Plus, John Coupland – South East London Business Network and Caroline Tatchell – Splash Damage. Apologies were also received from Robert Sargent – Acorn Group and Laura House attended on his behalf.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd April 2019 be agreed.

This item was deferred to a later meeting of the Bromley Economic Partnership.

Sarah King, Development Manager (London), Federation of Small Businesses, gave a presentation on their report “Small business, Big Heart: Bringing Communities Together” (February 2019.) The report set out a number of recommendations, mainly addressed to government, on supporting communities, the labour market for disadvantaged groups, good work, work and health and service leavers.  

One of the issues that the FSB campaigned on regularly on behalf of small businesses was late payment of invoices, and there was a comment that the NHS was often the worst offender. In response to a question, Sarah reported that there was a Women’s Group within the London FSB, and there was also a Women in Rural Enterprise Group.

Kate Mawhinney, Senior Enterprise Coordinator, London Enterprise Adviser Network (LEAN), gave a presentation on the work of the Network, which was part of a national programme, the aim of which was to link schools and colleges to employers and enhance employer engagement. 

There were already 3,000 schools and colleges signed up to the Network, but there was a need for a considerable increase in the number of Advisors - there were 70 in the London East region, but 700 were needed by August 2020 to serve a network anticipated to reach to 470 schools and colleges. It was envisaged that the role would only take up one day a month during the academic year, and would be locally based. Information about the LEAN programme had already been circulated to the Partnership, including the Enterprise Advisor Role Description, and attendees were urged to consider joining the initiative.

Lesley Holland, Bromley Education Business Partnership, circulated a flyer for the Careers Fair organised in conjunction with the DWP Bromley Job Centre Plus at 9.30am on Friday 12^th July at the Bromley Central Library. The Fair was aimed at 16-24 year olds, particularly sixth form leavers, and around 30 employers had signed up to attend. 

The Bromley Education Business Partnership provided a wide range of activities to link young people to employers and help schools and colleges deliver work related learning across the curriculum. The Partnership had a database of around 10,000 local employers and ran work experience programmes and a mentoring scheme. The Partnership also coordinated a programme of work experience for the Council, placing 43 young people in work experience within the Council in 2019. 

Members of the Partnership gave an update around progress across the main themes of the Partnership.

Virgil Rappa provided an update on town centres, covering the following issues -

·  The Churchill Quarter planning application was being considered and a decision was expected later in the autumn. The Council was continuing to work on site acquisition.

·  Most of the Bromley town centre works were now complete, and the contractor was rectifying errors.

·  Feature lighting was about to be installed for a number of buildings in Bromley High Street.

·  Most of the works in Beckenham were complete.

·  The benches had been installed in Orpington, and the accounts were being checked to see whether there was still any further money available.

·  The shopfronts had been completed in Penge, and 13 bronze heritage plaques were being installed. An alternative to the Legible London signs was being considered for Penge. 

In response to questions, Virgil explained that the vehicle barriers in the High Street were down until the autumn while the complex circuitry was sorted out. The remaining units at the St Mark’s Square development were being fitted out and would be open soon - the elephant statue there had been provided by the developer. The old Town Hall had now been sold by the Council.

Colin Maclean reported that a major meeting had been organised in Penge/Anerley by the Police to combat violence - this was an opportunity for businesses to have their say and gain visibility.

Melanie Ross of Barclays complained about a market stall causing problems with access outside their property - this would be investigated.

Gary Hillman reported, as the owner of the Royal Bell, that he was waiting completion of the S.106 agreement. He commented that hotel operators were primarily concerned about the number of rooms, and were not interested in the ballroom. He was working on a music weekend using the ballroom to showcase music from four different youth cultures. 

A written update had been circulated by Katie Ryde. Bromley’s Local Plan had been adopted, but further progress was awaited on the Mayor’s London Plan. The final London Plan was expected to be published in 2020.  

(a) ORPINGTON 1^st BID

Sharon Baldwin, Orpington 1^st BID Company, reported that their AGM a couple of weeks previously had been the best attended ever. She mentioned a number of events and initiatives that the BID was involved in, including -

·  a new business surgery with Jo Johnston MP;

·  engagement with Rajesh Agraval, Deputy Mayor, Business;

·  engagement with the office sector;

·  a summer social on 18^th July;

·  dementia training for businesses, and a 40^th anniversary event for the Alzheimer’s Society on 6^th November;

·  the Enchanted Children’s Festival on 1^st June;

·  a plastic free initiative with local schools;

·  celebrating World Ocean Day on 8^th June; 

·  opening a pop-up pallet park as part of London in bloom (judging on 30^th July);

(b) BROMLEY BID

Frances Forrest updated on activities in Bromley -

·  the Floral Fest would be held on 28^th June in the southern pedestrianised area of the High Street;

·  details of the midsummer movies in August would be available soon;

·  employee activities were being arranged, including yoga sessions and a bowling evening in September;

·  work was being carried out with the police and the Council on rough sleepers and beggars.

(c) THE GLADES

Mark Haynes gave an update from The Glades -

·  footfall had been adversely affected by the closure of Elmfield Road, but parking was 1% up;

·  a “You, me and the Sea” event would be held on 12 and 13 August;

·  the Ed’s Diner and Giraffe restaurants had both closed;

·  Whistles had recently opened, Levi’s had moved to a different unit and The Entertainer was moving to a larger unit and keeping their old store open until Christmas. 

·  Build a Bear had closed, but another retailer had taken their unit.

(d) BECKENHAM TOGETHER AND PENGE BIDs

Zoe Brown gave an update from Beckenham and Penge -

·  Stab kits and a defibrillator would soon be in place;

·  the Pengefest beer festival would be held for the first time on 28^th September;

·  the Soul Town Festival at Croydon Road Recreation Ground would be on 7^th September

·  Beckenham Business Day would be on 26^th September at the Odeon Cinema;

·  An interim re-submission for Purple Flag was planned so that the benefits could be reviewed;

·  Some local groups were merging to reduce meetings;

·  Beckenham had featured on a BBC London News feature on the decline of the high street as a positive example of a high street that was prospering.

(e)  BID DEVELOPMENT

Lorraine McQuillan, LBB Town Centres and BID Development Manager gave an update -

·  a potential West Wickham BID was being considered;

·  spaces were still available for the Grow Bromley event on 26^th June;

·  a free Business Doctor event would be held on 12^th July.

Members of the Partnership had undertaken a range of activities since the last meeting.

Cllr Colin Hitchens reported that the new CEO was in post, employment at the airport was going up and they were looking forward to the new Aeronautical Engineering College being established.

Mike Lewis reported that the market was fairly busy, particularly in Orpington, and good accommodation to let was in demand. He mentioned Wren Court in Bromley and Wells House, Elmfield Road.

Colin Maclean reported that a volunteering strategy was being developed - the next stage would be to consult with stakeholders such as the Council and local colleges.

Chandra Sharma reported on a number of activities, including a joint meeting with London South East Colleges, a movers and shakers event on 5^th June, the Small Business Saturday on 7^th December, a private meeting with Lord Harris the next week and a meet the buyer event planned for spring 2020.

The Chairman invited all attendees to report any additional matters of interest to the Partnership -

The office property market was positive, including serviced offices, but the residential market was affected by Brexit and stamp duty. There was a perception that town planning decisions were quicker and more straightforward in other boroughs.

The Nugent Centre was involved in a number of initiatives, including the Cray Valley Business Hub, a Job Fair on 24^th July, a dementia awareness walk along the Cray and the Junior Cray Forum. Clintons had moved to a smaller unit, Superdrug had opened and a new independent bakers was starting.

Steve Lipscombe of Ronin Marketing reported that their work, which was mainly business to business, was quite busy. His view was that businesses were finding it harder to compete in the current climate, and that everyone had to try harder.

Alex Henderson of Henderson Biomedical reported on an issue with the road layout at Kangley Bridge Road, at the Lewisham/Bromley border, where a new cycle lane had been laid out. Cllr Morgan promised to look into the issue.  

Cllr Hannah Gray reported that the Council was still working on bringing fast fibre to the borough.

Melanie Ross of Barclays reported that a joint event with the Bromley BID was planned for 18^th July on security and fraud.

Gary Hillman reported that work on the foundations for the new stand at Flamingo Park for the Cray Wanderers FC ground was due to start at 1pm on 11^th July. The first match would be a prestige fixture in about a year. A new manager had been appointed to liaise with the community and discussions were taking place with TfL about extending bus routes. There would be opportunities for sponsorship.

The Chairman noted that the October meeting would include the apprenticeships presentation from Job Centre Plus and updates from the Chamber of Commerce and on St Mark’s Square and the High Street Fund.

It was noted that Jim Kehoe, Chief Planner, LBB was retiring in August.

4.00pm, Tuesday 15^th October 2019

4.00pm, Tuesday 14^th January 2020

4.00pm, Tuesday 31^st March 2020

Future meeting dates were -

4.00pm, Tuesday 15^th October 2019

4.00pm, Tuesday 14^th January 2020

4.00pm, Tuesday 31^st March 2020

The meeting was followed with a Business Networking Session.