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Chairman's Report It is a great privilege to take up the reins for a second time, but it does highlight the need for more Bicester Businesses to become actively involved with the Chamber. Keith Watson has done a sterling a job for the last three years, but for the good of the members and the town, we need a larger pond and a greater range of ideas, so please do think about getting in touch and helping us to help you and other local traders like you. Theses are changing times, a coalition government, severe cut backs in public spending and an economy barely limping out of recession. Depressing? Not really when you look at Bicester and what is planned: Town Centre Redevelopment It seems as though we have forever been saying it will happen, recently this has changed - it will start next month. The reality is that regardless of when it will happen - and it will - it is going to be one of a handful of such developments likely to proceed in the current economic climate. For me, one of the keys is the Cinema. This brings a genuine opportunity to hold residents in the town in afternoons, weekends and evenings. It will be an attraction for the residents of Thame, Kidlington and Banbury. All of whom will be watching with envy. It is all too easy to complain about what we do not have, but we should not lose site of what we do have and what we are about to receive. Bicester Vision Rachel Faulkner, Partnership Manager has been doing some really great work at promoting Bicester to a wider audience and keeping the attention of all three tiers of local government on the towns holistic needs. The Vision is a joint public/private sector funded group to promote Bicester over the coming years. All three levels of local government together with many local businesses are funding Rachel’s post. The concept was borne out of a Breakfast Club meeting and put forward by local businesses. If ever a town needed this initiative it is now and I am looking forward to working with Rachel again to create a sustainable and lively economic community. Education A new head teacher at Bicester Community College, new 6th form at Bardwell Special School, new Eco Build Sixth form to come at The Cooper School. Plus further improvements in grade attainments. Real changes from my last term of office and I look forward to meeting old friends and new faces to help bring together Business and the Schools to create a town where our students can aspire to be whatever they want and make it happen. Eco Town Let us not lose sight of what we might have had – a new town- the same size of Bicester – just the other side of junction 9. I pull no punches here, this would have been a disaster. The potential for what we have got is huge, in terms of skills, jobs, aspirations and inspirational opportunities. It is however just potential, nothing worth having comes without hard work and a fight. For me the easy route is to fight change from outside, to be negative and to be doubting Thomas. The harder, braver route is to join at the table and influence and embrace change, helping mould it. This does not mean capitulation on principles all the time, but means helping ensure a balanced scheme that benefits all. Economic Development The present economic climate remains tough with difficult trading conditions and the Chamber will be ensuring that local government is kept aware of issues facing businesses. We have to be able to work with and alongside our colleagues at the Town, District and County Councils, elected and officers. At the same time we have a role to play, that of watch dog and we will be playing that role. Keeping trade local is a core part of our colleagues in the Federation of Small Business programme and we have always supported this. We will be continuing to do so in the coming months at our regular meetings with Cherwell District Council. The Chamber is also a member of the Oxfordshire Economic Partnership and is constantly talking and working with OEP to find ways of helping small businesses through the recession. Summary This is not a one-person show, the executive members all have taken on and committed to overseeing certain “portfolios”. Without their hard work and commitment the Chamber could not function. That said we do not ask anyone to commit more time than they can afford to give, it is not a demanding organisation. The more we have assisting the more we can do and the better informed and represented our members will be. The coming years have to be about working together to maximize the opportunities coming to our town. Bicester Chamber, your chamber, is one of the most active Chambers in Oxfordshire and with your support I intend to keep it that way. Ben Jackson Chairman |
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