BURSCOUGH BUSINESS NETWORK

Dear Business Owner/Manager
 
We are now approaching our third business network meeting and it seems a good time to remind you of the date and also to update you on matters raised at the earlier meetings and about some of the work of the Parish Council that may be of interest to you.
 
Next Business Network Meeting will be held at 7.45 am on Weds 6th September 2017
At Redolution (just near to Merlin Bakery and Café on Merlin Business Park
Breakfast is provided
Thank you to WCF who have sponsored this meeting
 
 
AGENDA
There is no formal agenda, but the meeting will continue some of the themes started at previous meetings including

• Crime prevention
• Road safety
• Working to improve the environment around our industrial areas, including landscaping, provision for pavements and facilities for visitors
• Defibrillator
• Blooming Burscough – Awards
• Presentations, including  from our hosts, Redolution  http://www.redolution.co.uk/contact/
• And more – Discussion items can be added on the morning or email admin@burscoughpc.org.uk to provide advance notice.

Very importantly, there will be time to talk, to network and to enjoy a relaxed breakfast in good company before you start your working day.  The meeting is expected to last no more than one hour. 
 
NOTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

1. Many thanks to all who attended our last meeting in June.  Approximately 30 people attended.  A list of attendees will be included in the notes presented at the meeting. 
2. We had 3 presentations from:
   1. Redolution - Alison from Redolution presented an introduction on her company’s services - visuals productions, marketing opportunities, Facebook campaigns etc.
   2. Open House Estate Agents - Emma from Open House talked about the local franchise she operates within our area. 
   3. Alistair Clarke - Alistair (who has a business support background) focused on the availability of EU funding for business to business support.  The presentation on the growth & support agenda was really helpful.
3. Attendees asked for the defibrillator project to move ahead - Burscough Parish Council can't act on this until enough businesses offer their financial sponsorship. We need businesses to come forward with a firm offer of cash then its a simple process to get the machine ordered & installed.
4. We need to ask the Police for help with improving & expanding the radio system available to businesses to report & prevent potential crime.  The Police will be asked to update us.

 

1. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on September 6th at 7.45am.

 
 
UPDATE
 
Speeding on the Industrial Estate
The Parish Council has limited powers to impact on speeding in Burscough, and provision of Speed Indicators Devices (often called SPIDS or Smiley Faces) is one of the few actions that we can do.  We deploy SPIDS in about a dozen locations across Burscough, rotating them between locations regularly.  For about the last six months, we have managed to deploy a SPID on Tollgate Road and we would be interested to know if you feel this has had any impact on traffic speeds or driver behaviour.  We are unlikely to be able to keep it on the industrial estate permanently due to cost and demands for it elsewhere.  If any businesses would like to volunteer to recharge the battery (twice weekly), a better service could be had and the savings made would be able to be utilised elsewhere. 
 
Best Landscaping or Garden Competition
As part of our expanding “Bloomin’ Burscough” Competition, the Parish Council have, for the first time this year, introduced a business section.  The competition is open to businesses of all kinds and covers both landscaping and garden areas/hanging baskets.  There is no need for businesses to nominate themselves, but we are pleased to hear from businesses that would like to be included.  Judging will be completed during the final week of August allowing winners to be announced at the next business breakfast on 6th September.  
 
 
Pippin Street Roundabout
The roundabout at the junction of Pippin Street and Tollgate Road is the subject of regular complaints due to poor maintenance.  There is at present no maintenance programme for it as LCC and WLBC suffer budget cuts. The Parish Council arranged for it to be tidied in advance of Remembrance Day last year, and has offered to take on its long term maintenance on condition that we can seek sponsorship for the roundabout, but that offer has been declined.   The Parish Council is now pressing the local authority for a solution, because this is the primary gateway to Burscough Industrial Estate, and because of its association with HMS Ringtail and our military heritage.
 
Too Old for Kids Stuff – Too Young for the Pub 
Support Needed for Youth Project
For those of you who grew up in Burscough, or live in Burscough and have teenage children, you may be conscious of the lack of informal activities and amenities available for young people; a situation made worse by a reduction in buses at evenings and weekends.  The Parish Council has committed to putting aside funds for capital projects for young people – a bike track and a youth shelter have been requested. A £10,000 lottery bid has been secured and that has provided for a youth worker to be engaged and we now have a youth group who are looking at ways to develop range of things to do for young people in Burscough.  For their first major project and the launch of YOBS (Youth of Burscough) the group have decided on a Youth Festival and have tentatively arranged this for 30th September.  There are bands lined up and the Cricket Club have offered their premises for free, but we really do need sponsorship and support if it is to go ahead.  If any business feels they could support this group, and help them get off to a good start, your sponsorship would be truly amazing.  Whether it’s a little or a lot, or perhaps help on the day, advertising/printing or in-kind support, please get in touch if you would like to be part of changing how Burscough supports its young people for ever.  
 
Sponsorship Generally
It is worth noting that the Parish Council have a number of opportunities for sponsorship.  If  businesses want to know more we are delighted to hear from you. 
 
Somewhere for Meetings
It was lovely to see Burscough Dynamos (FC) play their first games on their new home at Abbey Lane this weekend.  The Thomas Galvin Sports Ground at Abbey Lane is a state of the art facility with six football pitches and two cricket squares, and room for lots more sports and development.  The facility had been mothballed for many years due to being water-logged, and youth football in Burscough had struggled to find suitable pitches.  But, following a major refurbishment, the site is now back in use and the 20+ youth teams have a home to call their own.  The pavilion is also available to hire – and while its basic inside as you would expect, its lovely setting makes it an ideal location for meetings/team building, (and away days that aren’t so far away!)  Worth a look! Email simon@burscoughdynamo.co.uk. 
A more complete list of rooms to hire for meetings or events in Burscough can be found on the parish council website at http://www.burscoughpc.co.uk/links.html
 
Drainage
During the last floods in Burscough there were particular problems on Tollgate Road.  LCC advised that excavation of the site has now been undertaken to repair a blockage opposite J&M Steel. It was found to be damage caused by utility works carried out previously.
A works team also attended the drainage on Tollgate Road behind Booths and removed several plastic bottles from the system to restore flow and it is proposed to undertake further jetting on Tollgate Road, and a CCTV survey will be arranged in due course.  We hope that the problems will then be resolved, but if you spot further issues, please do let us know.  Burscough Flood Group (care of admin@burscoughpc.org.uk) are building up an extensive data base of flooding in Burscough which will be used to identify key areas, and to lobby for better infrastructure and maintenance of our drainage network. 
 
Defibrillator
Both previous meetings have discussed the importance of access to defibrillators and we have received several offers of contributions to the purchase of a machine.  If your business would like to contribute to the purchase of a machine please contact Tess Reddington at the Parish Council to discuss costs and how that might work.
 
Police Input
We have asked for an officer to attend the next meeting to report and answer questions about crime figures for Burscough, about use of and training in use of radios, and operation of CCTV.
 
Queen’s Awards for Enterprise
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, are the most prestigious Awards for UK businesses, recognising and rewarding outstanding achievements in the fields of Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development or Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility). Businesses can apply themselves to make sure their business gets the recognition it deserves.
Winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise can increase staff morale, bring worldwide recognition, provide excellent marketing opportunities and boost turnover. Almost any business can apply and the Awards are free to enter. You can also apply for more than one category.
Applications close athere to edit.

To receive updates from the Parish Council, please email admin@burscoughpc.org.uk to request.