View the Business Liaison Committee Minutes on their website.

During discussions surrounding the proposed 2009/2010 Town budget in the Spring of 2009 it became clear that there was a need for greater involvement on the part of representatives of the business community to participate in providing input regarding the current and future direction of the Town.

Given that there are a limited number of business owners who would be eligible to sit on Town Council, and that those who would be eligible are not able to take the time away from their businesses to serve, the ‘voice of business owners’ has been missing at the Council table.

In a meeting between several representatives of the business community and representatives of the Council a recommendation was put forth to establish a “Business Liaison Committee” to provide a vehicle for business owners, whether they be residents of the Town or not, to provide real input and direction on an ongoing basis. Subsequently a recommendation was put forward to Town Council to establish the Business Liaison Committee as a committee of Council.

Membership on the Committee is to be 5 members of the public who are Owners or Managers of a business operating within the Town of Annapolis Royal, and at least one member of Town Council. The Mayor attends meetings when possible in an ex-officio capacity. Members should reflect a community-wide perspective and whenever possible include a cross section of members from all business sectors including retail, industry and commerce.

Role and Mandate

The purpose of the Business Liaison Committee is to provide ongoing input and to encourage open dialogue between the business community and the Town Council its administration related to the current and future sustainability of businesses, and the Town in general. In doing so they will promote partnership and networking relationships between the various business sectors in the community and the Town of Annapolis Royal in order to create, maintain, and strengthen a positive healthy active business environment; identify opportunities to improve processes, services, information sharing and communication vehicles that will support and enhance existing businesses and attract new business and investments and develop programs, actions and initiatives that will successfully address the opportunities identified.

It is not intended that the Business Liaison Committee will in any way replace the Annapolis District Board of Trade, which has a much broader role and represents a larger geographic region.

Process

The Business Liaison Committee normally meets at 9:30 a.m. in Council Chambers on the Tuesday immediately following the Committee of the Whole (CoW) meeting. As part of the agenda of each meeting Committee members will review the minutes of the CoW meeting and discuss any items that may be of interest to the business community. If deemed necessary, the Committee may formulate a recommendation to Town Council for their additional consideration. In addition, the Business Liaison Committee will make recommendations to Council regarding opportunities and issues that they feel may positively or negatively impact the business community within the Town.

Meetings of the Business Liaison Committee are open to the public and minutes of each meeting are recorded by a member of Town staff.

Current Committee Members

Beth Fairn (Chair) – Royal Bank
Holly Sanford – Baintons Tannery Outlet
Danny McClair – Hutchins Pharasave
Pat Redgrave – Garrison House Inn & Dining Room
Paul Stackhouse – Hillsdale House Inn
Caroline Bosley – Westside Studio
Pat Power – Town Councillor
Mayor Phil Roberts