Prepared for presentation to the Chamber’s AGM on Tuesday, 11 March 2008 annual rep ort 2007/8 This is a review of what the Chamber has been doing during the past year and I hope that members will find it both informative and refreshing. This is the first time that we have published such a report and it has been made possible thanks to assistance, for which we are extremely grateful, from our valued members Abbott. members of the Board of Clonmel Chamber Seated l to r - Gervase McAleavey (Merck Sharp and Dohme), Declan Byrne (Chamber President), Tina Mulhearne (HR Direct - Chamber Vice President), Gerard O’Reilly (Gerard O’Reilly & Co Solicitors); back l to r - Walter Heneghan (Stada Productions/Clonmel Healthcare), Peter Chambers (Bulmers), Johanna Lacy (Lynch & Partners, Solicitors), Michael Power (Power Properties & Mortgage Centre), Kevin Finn (Abbott Vascular), John Cooney (Boston Scientific). Absent from photograph: Deirdre Twomey (Clonmel Park Hotel), Elaine McGowran (Chamber Director of Services). from the President
Transcript
Prepared for presentation to the Chamber’s AGM on Tuesday, 11 March 2008
annual report 2007/8
This is a review of what the Chamber has been doing during the past year and I hope that members will find it both informative and refreshing. This is the first time that we have published such a report and it has been made possible thanks to assistance, for which we are extremely grateful, from our valued members Abbott.
members of the Board of Clonmel Chamber
Seated l to r - Gervase McAleavey (Merck Sharp and Dohme), Declan Byrne (Chamber President), Tina Mulhearne (HR Direct - Chamber Vice President), Gerard O’Reilly (Gerard O’Reilly & Co Solicitors); back l to r - Walter Heneghan (Stada Productions/Clonmel Healthcare), Peter Chambers (Bulmers), Johanna Lacy (Lynch & Partners, Solicitors), Michael Power (Power Properties & Mortgage Centre), Kevin Finn (Abbott Vascular), John Cooney (Boston Scientific). Absent from photograph: Deirdre Twomey (Clonmel Park Hotel), Elaine McGowran (Chamber Director of Services).
from the President
annual report 2007/8
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Shaping up for Success Conference
The Chamber’s first conference in 2007 was held on 29 June and was sponsored by Abbott Vascular. This well attended event discussed the rejuvenation of Clonmel town centre to make it the key economic driver of former days.
Speakers represented town centre traders, developers, the local authorities and other local interests and included Colin Henehan of Abbott Vascular.
This conference was highly successful and there was a palpable feeling that all interests need to pull together and devise methods of improving the town’s shopping and cultural experience.
Bernadette Moloney (l) spoke on Litter and the Law and Annmarie Breen dealt with the Needs of the Retail Sector.
Borough Manager Billy McEvoy dealing with a question
from the floor.
Councillor Siobhan Ambrose and John Moylan.
On left Kevin Finn (Abbott Vascular), with the Mayor and Joe Leahy
Michael O’Donnell (Bulmers) addressing the panel
Paul McElearney (l) who spoke on the benefits of a Business Improvement District Scheme and Mitchell O’Brien (r) who spoke on developing the
Clonmel Arms site, with the Mayor and President.
Councillor Niall Dennehy making a point on
local government reform
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Clonmel’s Spirit of Enterprise Conference
This major conference was held in Hotel Minella on 28 September with sponsorship by New Vision Developments and was organised in association with Chamber Learning Skillnet and the SE Spirit of Enterprise Week.
The purpose was to highlight the many enterprising developments being planned by Clonmel’s brightest talents and which are playing a major part in driving the dynamic progress of the town.
The thronged auditorium included representatives from all aspects of business, from manufacturing to retail and from the hospitality sector to the professions. Kenneth Hennessy’s presentation perhaps attracted the most interest when he spoke on what could be done to improve the town, including better traffic flows with the creation of a new street in the town centre, more pedestrian space and a better venue for the weekly farmers’ market. He saw room for two multi-storey car parks and would like to see Clonmel develop into a city.
Don Davern (of New Vision Developments) opted not to speak about his own 20 year €1.5bn plan for a new suburb to create 3,500 hi-tech jobs, as the necessary land re-zoning was declined. He spoke instead on getting world class broadband into Clonmel and various environmentally desirable projects.
Almost 100 attended the half-day Conference Alan Downey airing his views.
From right: John Kent who described his project at Marlfield, Ned O’Connor (County Manager) spoke about plans to develop a
research and technology park at Ballingarrane, Martin Mansergh TD described how Clonmel has had to create its own national status (unaided by the National Spatial Plan),
the Mayor and Chamber President.
From left: Minister John Gormley TD, Kenneth Hennessy who gave an architect’s vision for Clonmel and Don Davern of
New Vision Developments the Conference sponsors.
The conference was split into two halves with a panel discussion at the end of each half.
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government spoke on transforming
our quality of living.
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Our aim is to provide local businesses with the training they want, delivered locally and cost effectively by trainers with proven track records for quality training.Clonmel Chamber was very happy that its application to host a training network was successful and Southern Tipperary Skillnet got under way with Jackie Ryan at the helm, supported by a Steering Group comprised of people who are heavily involved in training in companies such as Abbott Vascular, Bulmers, Medite, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Brennan Hotels, Curran Signs & Roadmarkings, Clonmel Healthcare and Stakelums of Thurles. The Steering Group is chaired by Tina Mulhearne, Vice President of the Chamber and a HR professional.
Pictured at the launch of Southern Tipperary Skillnet at Hotel Minella: front l to r – Louise Ryan (Curran Signs & Roadmarkings), Tina Mulhearne (Chamber VP), Anna Griffin (Clonmel Healthcare); back – Tom Larkin (Merck Sharp & Dohme), Michael Cox (Consultant), Ger Sammon (Stakelums Hardware, Thurles) and Frank O’Donoghue.
Kelly Williams (Administrator) and Jackie Ryan (Network Manager)
Training seminars will cover the subjects that are
in demand. In mid 2007 a survey was conducted
(in cooperation with Thurles Chamber) to identify
the training requirements from some 80 responses.
Those who responded are now on the database and
get regular information on training events. Other
companies can have their names added by merely
contacting the Chamber – they do not even have to
be Chamber members, however much we would like
them to be.
Skillnets is the enterprise-led support body whose
mission is to enhance skills of people working in
business in order to support competitiveness and
employability. This programme runs until December
2009 and is funded through the National Training
Fund. Stakeholders in Skillnets include many of the
leading employer and employee bodies (e.g. ICTU,
IBEC. CIF, SFA and Chambers Ireland).
Jackie Ryan previously ran the Waterford Skillnet. She is now based in Clonmel Chamber and can be reached on 052 26500, 086 0428668 or [email protected] Kelly Williams handles all administration and she can also be reached on 052 26500 or info@clonmelchamber. com
The 12 most popular training topics identified in southern Tipperary:
• Operator Skills • Project planning and control
• Manual handling instructors • Computer Skills
• Building better teams • Customer care
• Time management • People motivation
• Change management • Effective presentations
• Managing under pressure • Dangerous incident investigations
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Christmas in Clonmel
2007A great many organisations and businesses came together to deliver ‘Christmas in Clonmel’ with the whole operation conceived and coordinated by the Chamber. The idea was to create something special in Clonmel from 8 December to 6 January and to encourage people to come to town for shopping and for pleasure.The highlight was undoubtedly the ice skating which was in the old Chadwicks building (by kind permission of the owners) where there was free parking. There was also a funfair and Santa arrived on 8 December by fire engine to officially switch on the lights in O’Connell Street. A programme was printed setting out the many other happenings around town.This was an expensive undertaking and Clonmel Borough Council, the Association of Clonmel Traders and many individual companies clubbed together with the Chamber to make it financially possible. We are sure that the town’s economy benefited substantially.
Boston Scientific were the largest corporate sponsor and John Cooney is seen here handing over his company’s cheque to the President.
The Mayor opening the ice rink with l to r: Declan Byrne, Billy McEvoy (Borough Manager), Fran O’Donnell (Ireland on Ice), Mark Heinemann (Rink Manager), Maria Byrne, Frank O’Donoghue and Adrian Fox (Association of Clonmel Traders).
Councillor Darren Ryan, Mayor Richie Molloy and Johanna Lacy (deputising for the President)
were on hand to welcome Santa.
The Ice Marshals taking care of the Mayor and Chamber President
This skater needed the support of his two cousins
to stay upright.
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Clonmel Chamber members had a ball As sponsors of the 2007 Ball, Bulmers ensured that there were plenty of liquid refreshments of the highest quality on hand for this event which is the highlight of the social calendar for the business fraternity of Clonmel.The date was Saturday 3 November and the venue was The Clonmel Park Hotel which recently received its four star rating. The night commenced with a Champagne reception in the impressive foyer. Piper Larry Flynn then led the guests to a five course banquet in the beautifully decorated ballroom.Chamber President Declan Byrne with his wife Maria hosted the event. In his address, the President called on more firms to appreciate the value of Chamber membership by joining and sharing in the work which the Chamber does on behalf of Clonmel business. Just Five provided lively music for dancing and the floor was packed until the small hours.
L to r: Margaret McGrath with her husband TD, Mattie, Chamber President Declan Byrne, Senator Phil Prendergast, Mayor Richie Molloy and his wife, Sangeeta
Peter Chambers of Bulmers with his wife, Eileen.
Susan Maher and Annette Donovan were in the ACC Bank party
Frank Moloney and Emma Watson (in the Abbott Vascular party) enjoying the Champagne reception
Maria Byrne, Sheila Byrne and Yvonne Franklin - wife, mother and sister
of Chamber President Declan Byrne
Sponsors of the ball
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Shane O’Driscoll and Liz O’Shea were in the Curran Signs and Roadmarkings party
Senator Phil Prendergast and Councillor Ray Prendergast with Joe Nolan and Deirdre Twomey who is Sales Manager for Clonmel Park Hotel
Jacinta Cremmins, Jim Kavanagh, Paul Cremmins and Phil Kavanagh were in the Europlan party Tim and Nicola Normile were also in the Curran Signs and Roadmarkings party
Representing Merck Sharp & Dohme were Anne and John Condon and Mari Murphy
Lawrence and Maria Rhodes were in the Abbott party
Libby Horgan was there with Paul McNally
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Dr. Ed Walsh tackled many thorny issues in Ball addressCompetitiveness was a major theme in the address delivered by Dr. Edward Walsh who was guest speaker at the Chamber Ball on 3 November 2007. He quoted various international tables which show Ireland’s slippage in the competitiveness league and dealt with various ways of reducing the vulnerability of the South East and Clonmel in particular.“One of the difficulties in the South East,” said Dr. Walsh “is that we lack an urban focal point of sufficient scale. Waterford is the largest urban area but is of itself very small in world terms and we need to encourage a partnership between Waterford and other places close to it in order to create a virtual urban area of scale.” Dr. Walsh was extremely critical of the government policy of having all the motorways radiating out of Dublin. “We need motorways that facilitate movement between our provincial
cities and towns as is the case elsewhere in Europe and transport experts cannot believe that we are building all the motorways leading to Dublin. The most convenient ports for European shipping are in the South East, not Dublin. Therefore, we should be encouraging HGVs to travel south by providing the necessary motorways across the country”.As founding president of the University of Limerick, Dr. Walsh naturally emphasised the importance of creating a university in Waterford with campuses in other parts of the South East and cited statistics showing the poor university participation rate from the region. He would also like to see the electoral system reformed to resemble the European model with a mixture of those directly elected to the Dáil and those appointed from a list on the basis of party performance in the election. He felt that in this way experts could be appointed to cabinet to run the country.
€1,000 raised for Mayor’s fund
The 2007 Chamber Ball was sponsored by Bulmers who presented a framed Magners League rugby shirt autographed by players from all participating teams. This was auctioned in aid of the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal and, after lively bidding, it was knocked down to Europlan at €1,000, much to the delight of the Mayor.
Seen here is Mayor Richie Molloy, Chamber President Declan Byrne and Bulmers’ Production Director Peter Chambers presenting the purchase to members of Europlan, from left: Darren O’Dwyer, Mick Browne, Michael Campbell, Stephen Geary and Vivienne O’Donnell.
Chamber published its firstdiary & directory
This year the Chamber published its first ever diary, including a register giving details of all the Chamber members. It is expected that this very attractive desk diary will be re-ferred to daily throughout 2008 by all the business and civic leaders in the Clonmel area. It also has a listing of members by sector, for ease in sourcing locally provided goods and services. All members got a free copy and the Chamber is very grateful to the many advertisers who, by taking space in the diary, made this possible.
Copies were sent to the local public representatives and Council officials and our photo shows Chamber President Declan Byrne presenting the Mayor with his diary
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ACC BankPowerstown House,Gurtnafleur Business Park,ClonmelTel: 052 27331Fax: 052 [email protected]
new membersYour Chamber Diary contains a list of members and here are
members who have joined the Chamber since the diary was printed
The Clonmel Branch of the Halifax was officially opened by the Mayor on 12 February 2008 - with him here are
Frank O’Donoghue, Councillor Siobhan Ambrose and Councillor Cyril O’Flaherty.
On 29 May the Chamber hosted a HR Seminar when Peninsula Business Services explained employment law pitfalls. This company provides HR support to members on a fee basis. Philip Mudge and Fergus Coleman of Peninsula are pictured here with the President.
Halifax one of newest members HR Seminar
South East Chambers lobby the Dail
On Wednesday 6 February 2008 a delegation representing all nine Chambers in the South East participated in two meetings at Dail Eireann to lobby for a university for the SE, improved broadband, progress on infrastructure develop-ments and faster decentralisation of government departments. The first meeting was with Cabinet Minister Martin Cullen; the second with Minister of State John Browne and a large group of TDs and Senators from the South East. Frank O’Donoghue represented Clonmel Chamber and is seen here with Martin Mansergh TD and Mattie McGrath TD.
At 2007 AGM
Three local firms came together to give their perspectives on buying, selling and renting commercial property at Hotel Minella on 3 April 2007. Seen here are Alan Fahey (Tax Advisor with Binchy & Co, accountants), Johanna Lacy (Solicitor with Lynch & Partners) and Tom Pollard (auctioneer - Property Partners).
On 28 March 2007 Deloitte & Touche, accountants gave presentations on the tax implications of investment in foreign property at a seminar, also hosted by the Chamber.
Property SeminarsCrime Prevention
Chambers Ireland President David Pierce addressed the AGM held in June 2007. His day job is Director of Inward Invest-ment at Ulster Bank and he is seen here on right with Eamon Lonergan (Manager Ulster Bank, Clonmel) and the President and Vice President.
After Minister Cowen delivered his Budget, a breakfast briefing was held (6 Decem-ber) at Raheen House Hotel with presentations made by Patrick O’Gorman (l) and Audrey Crean (second r) of O’Gorman, Brannigan, Purtill & Co., seen here with the President and Michael Power who is also a Chamber Director.
Budget Breakfast
Walter Heneghan (Chamber Director & Past President), Sergeant Tom O’Dwyer (who has responsibility for CCTV), John Morrissey (Chairman ACT) and Inspector Kevin Bohan at the seminar on 20 February 2008 which re-launched Business Watch and dealt with various crime reduction techniques.Those present heard valuable advice on how to combat crime, especially theft and fraud. Sergeant Brian Hearne has responsibility for Clonmel Business Watch and will be maintaining constant contact with the business community.
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Chamber’s finAnCiAl RESultS for 2007
the full audited figures are available to members on request. However, we have reproduced here a summary of the Chamber’s income and Expenditure for year to end December 2007.
INCOME (€) 2007 2006Membership subscriptions 36,011 30,414Certificates of origin/signatures 5,222 4,835Rentals 12,703 14,641Clonmel Business Park management fee 6,000 6,000Vodafone sponsorship 3,000 3,000Skillnets net contribution 14,600Conferences & seminars 9,485 4,420Annual Ball 8,058 413Diary surplus 6,184Sundry 2,034 1,456 103,297 65,179
the President’s GratitudeThe Chamber is delighted with the surplus achieved during 2007 and these monies will be ploughed back into furthering the business interests of Clonmel.
Such a satisfactory result would not have been possible were it not for the great support which the Chamber received from many sponsors. Christmas in Clonmel was the most expensive undertaking of the year and we are very grateful for the support which we got from the Borough Council and from the members of the Association of Clonmel Traders (both collectively where various streets made contributions but also individually). The corporate sector came on board also with the largest cash contribution from that sector being €2,000 from Boston Scientific and a similar contribution by way of publicity from South Tipp Today. Abbott Vascular, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank
and Specsavers were also extremely generous, as were other members within their means.
The Annual Ball was a great success financially, thanks to Bulmers and our two conferences also delivered significant revenue, thanks to sponsorships from New Vision Developments and Abbott Vascular.
Our first desk diary was very well received by the members and we were able to give this away because of the great support from the advertisers. We are very grateful for this and we urge diary users to support the advertisers and members generally.
Many other members supported the Chamber in countless other ways and we are very grateful for this. Supporting the Chamber is synonymous with supporting Clonmel.
Declan Byrne
Vodafone Passion for the World Around us Awards
Two Awards were made during the year. The first was to Teresa Irwin who co-founded South Tipperary Cancer Care which incorporates a new drop in centre in Wellington Street where those recovering from cancer can receive after-care, relaxation, education and counselling therapies. About 1,000 people use the facility annually.Abbott Vascular won the first Award made to a business and it was in
recognition of the dedication of the firm to the local community, through the sponsorship of various events, both charitable and artistic, and the commitment which Abbott shows for the local environment.An overall National Award will be announced in summer 2008. Chamber members are strongly urged to submit their nominations of people or organisations doing outstanding things locally.
Eighteen Chambers around ireland work with the sponsors, Vodafone, in helping to recognise people and organisations who do extraordinary things but get little or no recognition. Clonmel is one of the Chambers
that works in partnership with Vodafone to help reward the hard work and dedication of local heroes.
Abbott Vascular receiving their Award. From left: Colin Henehan (Operations Director at Abbott), Madeline Hayes (Vodafone),
Annabelle O’Donovan (Abbott), the Chamber President and Brendan O’Dwyer (Abbott).
Teresa Irwin (left) of CARE receiving her Vodafone Award with Chamber Member Bernie Maher who
nominated her and Tina Mulhearne
Members of CARE who came along to the Award presentation with Ken Power of Vodafone (front row fifth from right)
