The minutes of the most recent meeting of the NewburyTown Centre Partnership are now available online.

http://www.newburytowncentre.co.uk/tcpminutes091016.pdf

A hard copy is also available to view at the Newbury Library in the Wharf.

My first impression is to realise how 'retail' orientated the group are.  In this meeting, there seems to be no 'heritage' type people in attendance.

Quoted from Greenham Common

My first impression is to realise how 'retail' orientated the group are.

How do you work that out?

Good to see TCP doing the right thing at last.

Some interesting stuff.....especially news that the Broadway will not be finished on time. I am sure the retailers will be delighted.

I still don't understand why they have anything to do with what goes on at sterling estate. Not exactly town centre is it

Quoted from 23

I still don't understand why they have anything to do with what goes on at sterling estate. Not exactly town centre is it

The conspiracy theory is that the presentation on the Sterling tower block was brought out to divert some of the flak from the pavilion.

But I can't see the retail bias suggested in an earlier post. I am more confused by the number of large edge-of-town non-retail operatives involved.

I thought we had Councillors who did this sort of thing?  Seems to be a massive duplication of effort for what purpose?  Interesting to see what employers are able to free valuable resource to attend 'advisory' meetings - when they claim to be short of cash!  If its simply getting information - go to the Council meetings; they are open.  If its influence they are after, use the proper democratic process and go via the ward councillor.

Quoted from 133

How do you work that out?

Well, not retail, but commercial interest.  I'm wondering if there is not enough representation from environmental spokesmen.  Should we be encouraging greater traffic movement, or worried whether a park is used by more people, or not?

Quoted from Greenham Common

Well, not retail, but commercial interest.  I'm wondering if there is not enough representation from environmental spokesmen.  Should we be encouraging greater traffic movement, or worried whether a park is used by more people, or not?

There is not enough representation from the people who really matter - the electorate!  

Quoted from 40

There is not enough representation from the people who really matter - the electorate!  

It could be argued that is the councillor's job.

Quoted from Greenham Common

It could be argued that is the councillor's job.

The difference is that councillors are elected to represent the town.

Quote from the TCP website ( http://www.newburytowncentre.co.uk )

"The Newbury Town Centre Partnership (TCP) exists to improve the vitality of Newbury Town Centre for all who live in Newbury, work in Newbury, shop in Newbury, or visit Newbury.

The TCP is independent of the District and Town Councils, but each council has both elected member and senior officer representation at the TCP table, sat alongside 26 other TCP members, all stakeholders, that have equal status in voting power.

The development plans for Newbury are vast, with plans for the new cinema in Cheap Street, the Market Street Urban Village and the Parkway Development. It is during these times of change that the value of the partnership is felt; the members who are experts in their fields contribute significantly to the core objectives; better town centre access, a safer environment, a quality environment, prosperity for all and leisure and cultural enhancements.

We are confident that through continued growth of the partnership we will be able to build on the successes that have already been achieved."

Quoted from Bartholomew

The difference is that councillors are elected to represent the town.

And they do just that - on the TCP.  They (Pamela Bale, WBC, and Julian Swift-Hook, NTC) are the reprentatives of the electorate on the TCP.

Personally I would prefer to see their representation depoliticised by adding an opposition member from each council - which would also double the electorate's representation.

As companies like Donnington Valley, Vodafone and the Racecourse can get on the TCP perhaps parish councillors from Speen, Shaw and Greenham should also be included?

Quoted from blackdog

And they do just that - on the TCP.  They (Pamela Bale, WBC, and Julian Swift-Hook, NTC) are the reprentatives of the electorate on the TCP.

Personally I would prefer to see their representation depoliticised by adding an opposition member from each council - which would also double the electorate's representation.

As companies like Donnington Valley, Vodafone and the Racecourse can get on the TCP perhaps parish councillors from Speen, Shaw and Greenham should also be included?

How are the rest (Donnington Valley, Vodaphone, the Racecourse etc) elected to be on the TCP? Is this through public voting?

Quoted from Bartholomew

How are the rest (Donnington Valley, Vodaphone, the Racecourse etc) elected to be on the TCP? Is this through public voting?

Of course not - it is not an elected body.

I suspect some get on by being prepared to help fund its activities (notably the salary of the Events Manager) others (like the Newbury Society) are there because whoever started up the group felt they should be there to represent some obvious stakeholders.

Quoted from blackdog

Of course not - it is not an elected body.

I suspect some get on by being prepared to help fund its activities (notably the salary of the Events Manager) others (like the Newbury Society) are there because whoever started up the group felt they should be there to represent some obvious stakeholders.

So, if I understand what you're saying (and the rest of the thread), the TCP membership is unelected but selected by its own members on its own criteria. It then makes decisions and recommendations to fundamentally change Newbury. And it also has members who have funding to make this happen.

As Alice said, "curiouser and curiouser". Brings visions of Mad Hatters and the rest of Alice's experiences