Minutes of the Blackdown Hills Transition Committee. Held on 29.9.10 at The York Inn, Churchingford.
Present: Karen Atkinson, Neil Atkinson, Sandra Aldworth, Jenny Ash, Geraldine Field, Val Grainger, Jodie Hoare, Tristan Purvis, Selena Mitford, Jim Rogan, Lesley Rogan, Heather Stallard, Alison Tottenham,
Apologies: Tracey Bell, Chassidah Stern, Emet Stern, Moira Wood,
Minutes of the last meeting on 7.7.2010 were agreed and signed by Selena.
Discussion on possible contribution to the Community Plan Heather Stallard gave a brief history of the Community Plan, including the economic and community aspects of its inclusion into the Blackdown Hills (BH) AONB. After advertising, Dr Cass is now appointed to look at Parish Plans and pull together information needed for Community Plan by Jan 2011.
Selena suggested a walk through of each parish in the BH with two simple questions and a comment to give the green perspective for inclusion in the Community Plan and also include the ideas into a play to raise awareness on green issues. Making It Local (MIL) may be able to fund a play. Heather advised as a rural area without a major town, we need to go forward with one voice. Jim counselled that aims and objectives need to be clear in order to make sense of the data collected. Due to the short timescales and Christmas coming up, the Notes from Blackdowns Transition Group Meeting held on 21July2010 maybe used for a play, then when funding is in place, we could find resources to gather comment on green issues in each parish. Karen pointed out Paul Birch, who wrote the Notes of 21July2010 was involved with the Brewhouse and may support the play. The proposed play could then be taken around the villages.
Agreed : -To ask Tracey about taking issues about funding forward with MIL - For Selena to take forward the idea of a play, initially based around Notes on 21July2010
-To review and take forward our contributions to the Community Plan at the next meeting
Renewable Energy in the Blackdowns: Following the BH AONB’s conference on 11Sep2010, Linda Bennett, Manager of BH AONB, invited BH Transition Group to be represented by a new member on BH AONB Partnership. Given that the Dartmoor Report from Energy Action Devon showed that a 15% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020, whilst achievable by a wide range of Renewable Energies (R.E.) and by a commitment to reduction in combustion engine use, was going to be an uphill struggle. 14 large scale wind turbines on 1% of Dartmoor's land would do all 15% all at once. BH is about 1\3rd of the size so by extrapolation, about 4 large scale wind turbines may allow us to reach this government objective. It is possible that old GCHQT site/Culmhead may be possible site or other old windmill sites. The report produced by BH AONB does not address these issues.
Agreed :
-To accept invitation to be represented on BH AONB partnership and Selena to take forward
-To press for and help with an Energy Action Plan for the BH [number of people x amount of energy used = where we are now x that by 15% to see where we need to be by 2020 less the amount of energy they produce = shortfall!]
BHT committee subgroups: Jodie discussed Totness Transition Streets and Totnes Renewable Energy Soc (TRESOC). All of the community has a share in R.E, thus empowering the community. A Carbon Reduction Groups need to advise on these issues Selena is finding slow progress on the Churchingford Village Hall PVC. Other parishes are interested and smaller groups seem to work well in getting things done so the following subgroups and actions were agreed:
Agreed :
- Carbon Reduction Group including community share issues with Selena, Jodie, Alison and Sandra
- BHT Website Group to update content with Selena, Jodie, Jenny, Moira*, Emet* and Tracey*
- Fun subgroup with Karen and Selena in Churchingford (other parishes may wish to do their own)
- Lesley heck names* to ensure those not present at the meeting are in agreement
Bank Account
The signed minutes of 7.7.10 and a copy of the constitution are being sent with the change of Bank Account signatories. Lesley to keep a copy and send off to the co-op via Susan Harley.
Website and Constitution
Website is http://blackdownhillstransition.org/ and needs to be included on literature including the parish mag articles. The content needs to be progressed by the BHT Website Group.
Changes to the constitution need to be actioned “The committee shall comprise no fewer than eight members” and with the clause required by the Transition Group.
Action:
- Selena to update the constitution
Next Meetings to be held bimonthly i.e. 6 per year, alternating on the last Tuesday or Wednesday evening. Extra meetings may be called as needed and one/two meeting a year should be public (dates of public meetings to be agreed). So next 6 meetings are:
Tues 30ieth Nov 2010
Wed 26th Jan 2011
Tues 29th Mar 2011
Wed 25th May 2011
Tues 26th Jul 2011
Wed 28th Sep 2011
Venues to be decided and booked in advance as far as possible, including other parish meeting places. Bookings to be actioned (secretaries and Selena) L,R,
