Minutes:
Financial Report
Accounts have been produced for the financial year April 2017 – March 2018.
Seating Plans
They have experienced a lot of delays with the project for new seating in the town centre, mainly due to our original contractor not being licenced to carry out the work there is a new contractor and they are currently working with SSE to remove the electrics in the town centre, whilst parts have been ordered to replace and renew the existing electrics in the town centre (some of the plugs are burnt out) to have them refitted into the ground, reducing the amount of street furniture in the ground, and have the new seating fitted in the meantime. Town Team are meeting with the contractor later today (9th July) to push this project forward and are hoping to see results and work completed over the next couple of months. Because of the replacement electric work needed, this pushes the cost well over the £30,000 originally budgeted, however funds will come from profits made through projects and events made over the last year, Town Team will not be asking for any further income from S106 funding.
Caldicot In Bloom
Hanging baskets in the town are now in situ, however when Town Team collected them Town Team had noticed than 20 baskets have either been stolen or have gone missing from the contractors yard, at a cost of almost £1,000. This has meant that they weren’t able to put as many up as hoped this year, they are currently trying to establish exactly where these have gone, but will be replacing them for 2019.
The Caldicot sign down at Mitel has been completed, which looks fantastic, volunteers carried out all the digging and the planting and one of their volunteers kindly paid for the flowers for this from their own pocket.
Outside Funding/ Town Centre Map
Caldicot Town Team were awarded £5,000 from Waitrose recently, which is now being spent on the town centre maps, which was originally due to be paid for by Asda several years ago. The town centre maps will be located in Asda Car Park, at The Cross and one down at Caldicot Castle. Off the back of this they will also be creating thousands of pocket maps, which they hope will be distributed through high tourist sites such as The David Broome Event Centre and Caldicot Castle to help increase visibility and to improve the footfall within the town centre.
Events
As it is now into summer season, it is a busy time for the team with events, on Friday evening they held their first Street Food Feast of the year, with great success, with approx. 800 people attend this free event and had an evening of live music, food traders from around the world and a wide selection of alcohol.
Local businesses saw a boost in profits, with Clarkes butchers selling out of their chilli burgers, they had on offer and Bargain Booze took over an extra £1,000 in takings throughout the evening.
The next event is the Family Fun Day on Friday August 3rd, which is in its 4th year, with free entry, the 999 Emergency Services event, in its 3rd year is on Sunday 19th August at Caldicot Castle, with free entry for pedestrians. There is a small charge for car parking. These events are followed by a second Street Food Feast on Friday September 7th.
Hoggin The Bridge
Hoggin The Bridge is shaping up to be an amazing event, with more live music, stalls and entertainment than ever before, the route has been changed to reduce congestion and the layout will be changed at the starting location to avoid queues. This year the ride ends at The David Broome Event Centre. They are also extending the event from just a Sunday to a whole weekend, with Live Music on the Saturday evening. They have secured and booked local band Rusty Shackle and The Bug Club to perform, tickets for the Saturday evening go on sale next weekend. Tickets for the Sunday are already available.
County Councillor Tony Easson voiced concerns to how the S106 monies were being used. A Reeks advised that he is meeting with MCC Assistant Head of Finance and will report back to the committee.
County Councillor Frances Taylor applauded Town Team for their hard work and commitment.