KNIGHTON TOWN FORUM

Minutes of the Forum

Minutes of meeting 17th February 2000
Council Chambers, Knighton

Meeting open 7.30pm.

Those present:

The Chairman noted that the Forum needed to elect additional persons to fulfill the obligations under the Constitution. The following were proposed, seconded and elected unanimously

Reverend Roger Moore represent Churches in Knighton
Mr. Ian Smith
Mr. Eddie Jones
Mr. Trevor Johnson

Mr Kevin Kell accepted appointment of Treasurer.

Knighton Town Council wish an official Council Representative to be present at meetings. Caution was made in the interest of democracy as there are already 4 members of the Forum who are Town Councillors. However, it was agreed that the Forum write to the Council explaining the Executive Committee status and nominate Mr Ken Harris as that representative.

The Forum considered the Town Study using the summary of points on separate handout. The Forum agreed:

Business Strategy

KH had arranged a meeting on Monday to discuss the economic situation in view of Motorway Remoulds announcements AG to attend Ask that Janet Oram represent the Chamber of Trade on the Forum

Agriculture

It was noted that there were concerns regarding MAFF registration. It was suggested that computers and the internet facility in the Telecentre help and guide those involved in this area. Strategy needed to build a skills and machinery network Concern given on the state of the Livestock Market - the Forum agreed that this could be resited or redeveloped and modernised with the help of European funding

Knighton Tourism 2000

Knighton Tourism 2000 has made excellent progress with 3 initiatives Pageant and Medieval weekend to celebrate opening of Glyndwrs Way on 7 - 11 June (most of the organisation of this has been done by Anne Maslen-Jones) Take pArt Teapot Rally (this is in formative stage for a winter event with interest from American visitors) It was agreed that a separate bank account be opened for Knighton Tourism 2000 as funding had been agreed by Town Council and grant and pledged donations sought.

Trust Application is in the process of being prepared by Islwyn Watkins for a Museum for Knighton - surplus of funds from events organised by Knighton Tourism 2000 will be applied to the Museum Trust. A temporary display of local material and artefacts to be staged

Green Tourism

Cycling to be developed - LW involved in the creation of cycle routes Agreed to promote Healthy lifestyles Marketing of the Town to visitors Tourism is currently two pronged at present with Knighton Tourism 2000 and the original Tourism Association. The Association is designing a leaflet. It was agreed a Working Party be formed addressing tourism co-ordinated with the Economic Development Officer once appointed. Islwyn Watkins confirmed that 3 wide coverage media opportunities were being made in Knighton - heart of Country filmed at Offa’s Dyke Centre - Filming in Antique Centre which will link with Wales TV programme and on May 6th, a S4C 1 hour programme to include a marquee on Bryn-y-castell

Street Parking and traffic calming

AG to write to Highways Department following Town Council’s lead in opposing pay and display parking proposals - letter attached General concern on traffic problems in Broad Street and around Radnor Drive. These to be considered in greater detail with overall business strategy for redevelopment of Knighton Town Centre by a Working Party Offa’s Dyke Centre It was suggested that a partnership be set up with the Offa’s Dyke Centre and the Observatory to attract educational visitors.

Industrial Park

A brochure has been designed for the park

Bus Services

These were to be investigated as a priority to co-ordinate with railway timetables and cross border into Hereford and Shropshire The bus schedule does go to the railway station, but not necessarily to co-incide with the train timetable

Publishing of minutes will be made on the Forum website. These will only be made once the minutes have been approved. URL is: http://www.knighton2000.freeservers.com

The Forum agreed to defer discussion of the remaining points on the Town Study until the next meeting.

Future Meetings will be held on:

23 March 2000
27 April 2000
25 May 2000
22 June 2000
27 July 2000
at Council Chambers, Broad Street, Knighton unless otherwise stated

There being no further business, the meeting was closed.