Report:Surrey Hills Enterprises

Item No: 6b

Date:15 April 2015

Written by:Simon Whalley

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Purpose of Report

To update the Surrey Hills Board on Surrey Hills Enterprises.

Summary

Introduction to Richard Small’s business, his current model and future plans. Richard proposes to work on a consultancy basis at a cost of £6k +VAT on some research work to target opportunities for SH suppliers into new markets.

Directors agreed to give Richard’s proposal and deliverables thorough consideration. Feedback and clear, concise objectives are requested. Tim M and Mark Lebusto work on this this week.

Main Meeting

The Family Marketing meeting was praised for its ongoing work. It was noted that since the last meeting Ken Bare has resigned as a Director and Tim Metsonhas been formally appointed.

Noted that Laurence Matthews seems keen to engage with SHE. That could be a positive catalyst for working with SCAS.

The review of Norbury Park is still being held up. Mike Goodman is disappointed with the delays and the proposed processes. He will press for the finance report to be released and invitations to tender issued otherwise SCC will have to review the agreement.

Tim Metson has given a presentation on the Cow Parade to the Trust Fund panel. Negotiations on costs are still underway with the trademark owner in US and a headline sponsor is being sought. Discussed Coverwood Opera event on the 28th June at Coverwood Lakes, SHE are getting involved in this event in order to begin the SH Food Drink and Arts Festival programme.

Noted that the planned event on 9th May for our corporate sponsors has had to be cancelled due to diary clashes, it is now planned to reduce their first year contribution in recognition of this.But aiming to trial events this year with greater involvement in future years.Mentioned the potential for working with the Coverwood Opera event, the Boxhill SH Arts event and opportunities for bringing more arts into the Wood Fair, these will all be as part of the Corporate Partnership Scheme with Investec, Charles Russell Speechleys and Wilkins Kennedy.

Confirmed Board agreement to sponsors’ titles as ‘Corporate Partners’ and SCC, AONB & BBE as ‘Foundation Partners’ all having membership status in return for their contributions.

Projects and Events Update

Mark Lebus has agreed to chair the planning group of the Wood Fuel Conference, taking over from Matthew Woodcock, who remains involved. The event is planned to take place on Thursday 15th October at Epsom Downs Racecourse, in the Duchess Stand. It links well with the Woodland Trust memorial woodland creation scheme at Langley Vale. The title of the National Wood Fuel Conference remains, with a subtitle of The Value in Wood. We have agreed 4 key sections throughout the morning and areas for breakouts. We are working on securing top-notch speakers before the next meeting in three weeks’ time.

Update on the Wood Fair planning: two new attractions have been secured for the event, a music programme sponsored by ACM and a Theatre Tent sponsored by The Man in the Moon Theatre Company. Both of these will help to attract new audiences and keep them on the site for longer. So far already over 10% of our target number of exhibitors have booked space for the event.

Update on the INTERREG Local Wood Hub. The final study visit took place in March in France. A party of 9 people attended from the UK. Some exceptionally valuable contacts and networking took place and the potential for future collaboration is high. The final pieces of work are to be completed by the end of April and the entire project will be wrapped up by June 2015.

We have put in an expression of interest for an INTERREGV bid for Waverley woodland management as part of a multi-million pound cross-channel project. This would enable us to meet and exceed our target for getting woodlands back into management. It is planned as an exemplar for other woodland sites across the AONB.

Marketing and Communications update

Report about the completion of the website. Noted that the Wood Fair site now includes the capability for exhibitor to book on-line. Customers will be able to book tickets for the event through the site shortly.

Noted that Caroline Price is now on board one day a week working on Member PR and member relations.

We have now secured a Direct Debit scheme for membership to be spread over 12 months, removing a significant barrier for some smaller companies.

We have purchased our own license for using InDesign software. This will save us money on design costs going forwards and give us increased flexibility and control.

A recruitment drive has begun targeting butchers and restaurants in the first instance. Targeted campaigns should be the main focus with specific events built round these themes.

Financial Update

Discussed the up-dated financial report including consideration of the income over 5 years, contributions and capitalised amounts. These were considered still to be achievable and consistent with the SCC criteria regarding their injection of working capital – the final tranche of which was due at the beginning of April.

Noted that SCC might ask us to administer the Coast to Capital LEP grant fund for woodland grants. It might be swapped within the targets from SCC rather than pay us extra.

Recommendations

Members are asked to note the report

Contact details:

Author: Simon Whalley

Job title: Chairman, Surrey Hills Enterprises

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