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Minutes of the Committee Meeting held Thursday 24th January 2008. Present: Bob Hilton, Charlie Westhead, Freer Spreckley, Greg Warwick, Peter Gunn-Wilkinson, Vanessa Hembling, Apologies: Sarah Morgan, Jane Neville Agenda The purpose of the meeting was to agree the subjects for the next meetings and who is going to organise them, discuss the purpose of the 2nd Green Supper, the content of the annual report, and our relations with other groups in Herefordshire. 1. Next Meetings Because of other commitments of several members of the Committee it was decided to bring forward the meeting by the Severn Wye Energy Agency on the use of energy efficient fridges and low energy lighting to the 21st of February meeting. The meeting would also have a brief talk from Susannah Garland on the Plastic Bag Free Campaign in Hay. This would be followed by the AGM and Annual report. The 2nd Green Supper would now be planned for the 20th March. Action Bob Hilton to liaise with Stuart of SWEA on lighting/bulbs in GVEG area. 2. The 2nd Green Supper Discussion focussed on the Green Supper scheduled for the 20th March 2008 in the Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall. It was agreed to invite representatives of each of the Parish Council groupings in the Golden Valley (9). The evening will follow the pattern of the successful first Green Supper and members are invited to bring a dish/drink from locally sourced suppliers. It should provide an opportunity to meet the Parish Councillors, exchange ideas about how the Councils work and how the GVEG can support their work. The Supper should also enable members to explore themes of mutual intererests and to develop a supportive framework to take forward projects for more sustainable communities. Several themes were identified at the meeting including:
3. The Annual General Meeting Discussion identified the main elements of the AGM report for inclusion in the 2006/08 Annual Report and defined the relationship between the GVEG and the Green Action CIC, which acts as the financial and legal umbrella for GVEG and other local environment groups needing to raise funds. The recently adopted committee has 8 members, which should provide more consistent organising and administrative support and spread the work more widely. The group identified a series of actions taken and achievements for inclusion in the report including: solar panel water systems, micro hydro energy schemes, the website, representation at the Hay Festival, Community Supported Agriculture, Light Bulb Stall, the1st Green Supper and the Petition on the Climate Change Bill. Future plans and projects include the cooperation with Herefordshire Council and local Parish Councils to develop an integrated network of cycle paths using SUSTRANS funding and the potential development of a community wind turbine supported by the Cooperative Fire Group. Possible future projects could include greater cooperation with other local groups and links with the local agricultural community / sustainable farming. Action It was agreed that Freer should draft AGM Report, with inputs from Vanessa and Charlie. 4. Developing relations with other Groups in Herefordshire / Marches There was general support among GVEG members to develop its regular contacts with other environmental groups and work through local parish councils (as proposed in our Green Supper) to develop a Golden Valley perspective. Cooperation and consultation should enable us to influence local plans and amplify the impact of local groups where these can work together on particular issues. Members of the group have had contacts with local schools and Vanessa will be speaking at an Open Day at Peterchurch Primary School on 28th February. The contacts made at the Green Supper will need to be developed around particular themes. Action All – develop specific proposals for cooperation with other groups Minutes prepared by Peter Gunn-Wilkinson, 12th March 2008 Click here to return to top of this page.
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