114th Annual General Meeting - Tuesday 6th February 2018

The 114th Penrith Chamber of Trade and Commerce Annual General Meeting took place at The George Hotel on Tuesday 6th February, with 21 members attending. 

Heidi Marshall 2016-2018 president chaired the meeting and gave an overview of the past year outline some of the successes and achievements.

The ‘Pots of Money’ scheme which provides funding for local area improvements within the Town Centre has completed a couple of successful projects with further funding available. Other activities have included production of the ‘Christmas in Penrith’ Brochure, organising ‘The Stars of Business Awards’, ‘The Eden Food and Farming festival’ and ‘Penrith goes Orange.’ Along with regular meetings and Business to Business events, the Chamber have now introduced a Friday Newsletter providing members with an update on What’s On in and around the Town which has proved to be very popular.

Heidi ended her Presidents speech with ‘I have spent 2 years in the President’s role, thoroughly enjoying it.  I believe that every good committee needs regular rotation and will therefore be standing down as president but continue on the Executive committee board.

Elections subsequently took place with Stephen Macaulay of Manning Elliott Partnership elected as President, Joseph Webb of PFK elected as Vice President and the Treasurer, Members Liaison Officer and Executive Committee remaining the same.

Glenn Clifford Perkins, the Chamber Treasurer, discussed the annual financial statements prepared to 31 December 2017.  The overall result for the year is a profit of £2,049 with membership increasing from 128 in 2016 to 149 this year.  It was agreed subscription rates would remain unchanged. These have remained the same for the past 3 years.

During the evening the 2017 Christmas in Penrith Window Dressing Winners were awarded trophies in recognition of their hard work.  Amanda Vollans of Wilkes Green and Hill was presented the winning shield for Non-Retail, John Dawes of The George Hotel was presented the winning shield for the Special award and Heidi accepted the winning shield for Maggie’s Bakery who won Retail as a representative was unable to attend.

The next Chamber meeting will be taking at G&S on Tuesday 6th March with the April meeting being held at Lonsdales Alhambra Cinema on Tuesday 3rd.

Full minutes are attached.