Kington Town Council is to forge stronger links with the town’s chamber of trade

Kington Town Council is to improve its relationship with the town’s Chamber of Trade.

The move comes after a town councillor said recent events, like the public realm funding projects, have raised concern about the council’s links with the chamber.

Councillor Bob Widdowson said; “The Kington Chamber of Trade is a key player in the town’s economy.

“Currently the only formal link is through the nomination of a town council representative to attend chamber meetings.

“Chamber representatives also attend council meetings as members of the public, raising issues during public question time but without an agenda item.

“Given their shared interests, I propose establishing more defined links to improve relations.”

The town council was recently given the chance to bid for public realm funding for a number of projects to improve the town.

The council came up with a wish list of ideas but the Chamber of Trade raised concerns about some and one idea of creating extra parking near the Square was questioned by the chamber who suggested better town signage instead.

Councillor Widdowson proposed restoring synchronicity between Kington Town Council and Kington Chamber of Trade meetings by the town council returning to meetings at the beginning of the month.

He said this would speed up information flow as at the moment a mid-month town council meeting is not reported to the chamber of trade until the second Tuesday of the following month, and vice versa.

He also recommended including a report from the chamber of trade as an agenda item at the town council meetings instead of them joining in as part of matters raised by the public, to formally establish a link.

Councillor Widdowson also suggested as they are both promotional bodies planning ahead, a joint discussion to consider the year ahead would benefit both organisations and encourage joint working.

Deputy Mayor Councillor Martin Woolford said he 100 per cent agreed with Councillor Widdowson.

He proposed that the town council should accept the proposals and have a look at the dates of the town council meetings for the next six months at the next meeting.