PRESENT: Keith Castree (Treasurer), Sarah Ellershaw (Chairman), Carol Williams (Secretary), Reg Shallcross (Hon. President), Dot Flint (Sandbach Partnership), Carolyn Lowe (Sandbach Town Council), Jayne and Peter Firman (Guardian Accountancy), Larry Sharps, Barry Moran (CEC), Graham Whittaker (Phillip Elson Jewellers)

APOLOGIES: Gill Merry (CEC), Sue Brereton

Minutes of the previous inaugural meeting held on 7 June 2010 were distributed and read. Carolyn proposed and Dot seconded that they were an accurate account of the meeting.

2. Chairman’s Report
   Sarah thanked those who had worked so hard since June last year organizing various events run by STAR especially Keith, Nigel and Carol: Ruth and Lizzie for organizing and running the various children’s competitions throughout the year; Dot and Sue for their guidance and letting us hold our meetings at SECE; Barry, Gill and Carolyn for all their support. Events organized have included various bands playing on the Market Square, children’s competitions at Easter, Halloween and Christmas, Christmas Window Dressing competition, Business Watch. STAR have also supported Sandbach Town Council and Cheshire East Council with the Craft Markets, Fodens Band Concert on the Market Square, Halloween afternoon, Christmas Light Switch on and Christmas Market. The feedback that we get from these events is that they help create a “buzz” around the town and bring in both locals and people from the surrounding area. Special thanks go to Ian Tresman who set up a wonderful, informative website and continues to update and maintain it.
3. Treasurer’s report
   Accounts have been prepared by Guardian Accountancy Services (a full copy can be viewed on the website). Income for the period ended 28th February 2011 was £2165 and expenditure was £1581 giving a net surplus of £584. The main income was from membership fees and grants from Sandbach Town Council. As the £20 membership fee is currently a one off payment we need to actively recruit more members this year in order to be able to continue organizing events for Sandbach
4. Keith Castree and Carol Williams both agreed to stand for another year as Treasurer and Secretary respectively. Proposed by Sarah Ellershaw and seconded Carolyn Lowe. Sarah Ellershaw wishes to stand down as Chairman but no other nominations have been forthcoming, so Dot Flint suggested an independent Chair. Larry Sharps agreed to become Chairman and Sarah will continue for the present as Vice Chair. Proposed by Dot Flint and seconded by Carol Williams
5. STAR have been approached by the Christmas Lights committee for our support in raising £1500 towards the £6500 cost of replacing the current lights which are 21 years old. This would buy new LED colour changing lights which should last 20 years. Sandbach Round Table is donating a further £1500, and the Town Council will be approached for further funding. All businesses will be receiving a letter shortly from the Christmas Lights committee asking for a donation of up to £20. Please give them your support as without our donations Sandbach will be a dark, dreary place this Christmas with no lights as the old ones have been condemned.
6. Craft and Christmas Markets to be held on 28th May, 25th June, 23 July and 2nd December. All 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stalls will cost £27.00 If anyone know anyone who would like a stall please contact Cllr Carolyn Lowe. Carolyn to contact Alexia Evans from NuNu Nursery, Crewe Road, to see if they would help run the childrens activity stall.
7. A.O.B.
   STAR has been working with Sandbach Town Council and Sandbach Partnership to produce a Town Guide. This will be printed locally by Impressions Print & Design and distributed door to door to all Sandbach households, all Cheshire Tourist Information centres, Sandbach Estate Agents and shops. STAR members are the first to be offered advertising space within the guide at a reasonable price. Letters will be sent out shortly giving prices and details.

   Dot mentioned that a notice board is to put up on the Market Square so that details of events can be posted there. She also told us that the new childrens’ slide, swings, Super Nova and zip wire in Sandbach Park will be officially opened on April 16th to coincide with the Transport Festival.

   Sandbach Partnership will write to Gareth Edwards at CEC re STAR working with them towards creating a better market provision. The Town Council have already asked for the stalls to be better managed to create a small area of parking space but nothing has been forthcoming. A decision will be made on 1.4.12 as to whether the Town Council will take on the running of the market when CEC devolve this.

8. Next Meeting will be Wednesday 4th May 5.30 p.m. at SECE

Meeting closed at 7.10 p.m.