Minutes:
Reverend Agnita Oyawale, Bromley Town Centre Chaplain advised Members that from January 2020, a team of Chaplains had been commissioned to increase the number to 13.
Mr Matthew Eady, Mytime Active advised that a new Mind and Body Studio had recently opened at The Spa – Beckenham. It had been profiled on the BBC London News, and the feedback had been positive. Mytime Active had been involved with the London Youth Games, which Bromley had won for the fourth year in a row. Nike had recently been named as the new sponsor of the Games, however costs were increasing, and Bromley’s team were looking for sponsors for next year’s event.
Additional funding had been received to continue the ‘Twilight College’ in partnership with London South East Colleges. These classes provided additional activities for pupils after school hours. The feedback received had been good, and other colleges were following their lead. An arts project which they ran for children in care had been shortlisted for a community and voluntary sector award, but had narrowly missed out. However the project had been nominated for two further awards, at a national and local level.
Mr Steve Lipscombe, Ronin Marketing reported that following a slack spring, business had picked up over the last two to three months. It was noted that they were working with companies from different sectors, which it was hoped was a sign of good times.
Mr Lawrence Wilson, Business Doctors informed Members that a network event, focused on construction and property firms, would be taking place later that week at the Travelodge, Bromley.
Mr Michael Humphries, Handelsbanken said that business remained busy. They needed to be “looking outside of the box”, and had the flexibility to do so. On the commercial side, there were a number of projects underway.
Mr Russell Clarke, Sundridge Investments Limited noted that in relation to town planning, for the second time in two year there had been a judicial review. The appeal inspector had travelled down for the north east, which highlighted the issues of staffing and experience.
Mr Dave Freeborn, Proctors said that he was aware of a number of property developers who did not feel they were supported enough in Bromley. A number of small and medium developers had moved to Croydon, which was a worry and was backed up by the percentage of overturned appeals. The Chairman advised that there had recently been a new Chief Planner in post and there was now a different attitude within the department.
Mr Alex Henderson, Henderson Biomedical said that the company was currently busy. Work had not yet started on the proposed cycle lane on Kangley Bridge Road. Mr Henderson noted that he felt the extension of the Bakerloo Line to Hayes would be a huge benefit to local businesses.
Ms Lesley Holland, Bromley Education Business Partnership informed Members that they supported young people in to work. Thanks were extended to Mytime Active who had recently taken on two pupils at the risk of exclusion. A schedule of events for 6th formers who did not want to go on to Higher Education had been planned at various schools across the Borough – further information and dates could be provided to Members.
Mr Lee Morrison, The Heathers Residential Care Home informed Members that he was looking to get a project off the ground to support care leavers. A ‘Bands against Knife Crime’ event was proposed, and a high profile a band was already on board, however he was looking for somewhere to host it.
Mr Mike Foxhall, Barclays Bank PLC advised Members that opening hours at the Bromley branch were being extended to 7pm on Thursdays, in line with late night shopping.
Mr Robert Sargent, Acorn Group informed the Partnership that as part of their CSR, they had launched the ‘ABC BOOK CLUB’, which had now become a registered charity. They had worked to support a number of schools across Bromley, and surrounding boroughs, to provide reading materials or a space for reading, and carried out between three and five projects a year. Their local branches accepted donations of unwanted books, which they looked to repurpose. Further information on the scheme could be provided to Members.
Mr Lee Thomas, Fairlight Group said that serviced offices were currently full. There were lots of new enquiries, which were expected to convert once decisions surrounding Brexit were more certain.
Mr Gary Hillman, The Royal Bell and Cray Wanderers FC informed Members that in relation to The Royal Bell, there involvement in Open House London had been a huge success with around 500 people visiting the venue. They had been approached by a major music promoter who was looking for a venue in north Kent to host 250 concerts a year, to crowds of between 400 and 700 people.
The previous weekend, Cray Wanderers FC had played their first game in 46 years at a home ground which they owned. Buses were being provided, which made three stops in the Cray area, to transport their supporters to Bromley FC, with whom they were currently ground sharing. A youth day had been held and attracted a crowd of 634 people, and things were going well on the pitch for the team too.
RESOLVED that the updates be noted.