Agenda and minutes

Received from Councillor Marilyn Ashton (Harrow Council), Kurt Jansen (McDonalds), Brian Kerbey  (Agenda 21), Councillor Mrs Rekha Shah (Harrow Council) and Suzy Wood (St Ann’s Centre).

To agree the minutes of the following meeting as a correct record:

·                    Harrow Town Centre Forum meeting – Ordinary Meeting held on 1 May 2007.

AGREED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 May 2007 be agreed as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

Alcohol Exclusion Zone

Members noted that the zone was now well signposted and being enforced.

Officers briefed Members of the Forum on the progress of work on the feasibility of a Business Improvement District (BID).  They had contacted all businesses in the St George’s Centre with a view to identifying businesses interested in the BID, also business champions and potential board members.  Officers would then move on to make contact with businesses in the St Ann’s Centre.  A questionnaire would be sent out to all store and area managers to establish what was needed in the town centre.  A business plan would then be produced.  The focus now was to take the process to the next level.  Asked about the involvement of small businesses, an officer informed the Forum that the process had begun with businesses of higher rateable values and would be extended to smaller businesses as and when time and resources became available.  Members noted that the Chamber of Commerce would be willing to help and that small businesses would be represented on the steering group.

AGREED:  That the above be noted.

·                    Harrow Business Against Crime

·                    Public Realm Construction

·                    Proposed Events

1.  Harrow Business Against Crime (HBAC)

Russell Barr reported that the organisation now had 50 members, and was still growing.  Five cross-member exclusion notices had been issued and evidence was being collected in the first case of an application for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO).  A working group was discussing how best to deal with illegal DVD traders, and action would be taken in the near future.  HBAC was seeking to become more involved with financial institutions in preventing fraud.  The lack of a town centre police team had been discussed with the police business manager, and there was a possibility that businesses might be prepared to part-fund a town-centre team.  After discussion it was

AGREED:  That (1) representations be made through the Forum to the Borough Commander to review the policing of Harrow Town Centre, with the aim of introducing a dedicated town centre team;

(2) the verbal update be noted.

2.  Public Realm Consultation

Officers reported that consultation was currently taking place on the Harrow town centre public realm and access strategy.  The aim of the consultation was to ensure that all those with an interest in Harrow town centre had the opportunity to comment on the strategy and influence the preparation of detailed design proposals.  Information was available on the Council’s website and a stake-holder event, to which Forum members had been invited, would be held on Friday 27 July 2007 at the Civic Centre.  The consultation would end on 31 August 2007, after which proposals would be developed and implemented.

AGREED:  That the above be noted.

3.  Proposed Events

An officer informed the Forum that St Ann’s Centre had again committed to the Viacom bus-back advertising campaign to take place in the run-up to Christmas 2007.  Other sponsors were also being sought.  Product marketing campaigns were also planned for St Ann’s.  Members discussed the possibility of increasing the number of French markets and introducing other markets, noting the need not to jeopardise the interests of town-centre traders.  Members noted the success of the 2006 Diwali celebrations in bringing shoppers into the town centre.

AGREED:  That the above be noted.

A proposed budget was circulated.  Anticipated income from funders was £13,000, plus approximately £8,000 as a surplus from the previous year.  The figures quoted were subject to the final accounts of 2006/2007 being audited.  After discussion it was

AGREED:  To spend approximately £16,800 on Business Improvement District (BID) development costs, with 20% of total income – estimated at around £4,200 – to be spent on supporting town centre events, for example, the French markets.

Which the Chairman has decided is urgent and cannot otherwise be dealt with.

1.  The Future of the Post Office Site

Asked about progress on the development of this town-centre site, the Director of Planning, Development and Enterprise reported that a scheme agreed with development partners was very close and proposals would soon be presented to the Mayor of London.

AGREED:  That the above be noted.

2.  Venue for Town Centre Forum Meetings

Members thanked Debenhams for the use of the training room for meetings, but noted that disabled access was not straightforward.

AGREED:  That the above be noted.

AGREED:  That the next meeting would be held at the end of September or beginning of October, to be arranged with at least four weeks’ notice.