1. Minutes of Last Meeting

Couple of notes on spelling of names, and apologies to Charles Plezzey (Director, CWP Consultancy) who was missed from the attendees list.

2. Matters Arising

Business event. JFB’s has secured funding from Devon & Cornwall Business Council and SWCoC to run 2 large regional business events and 40 smaller events. These can operate under the DSEN banner.

It was proposed that a large regional event will be held in the NMA (National Marine Aquarium).

AL has been talking to Paul Baker and would also like to run an event in the Blackdown Hills with an exhibition and info on sustainable building.

Action: FS will discuss with JFB and feedback to the group.

RT notes that an important aspect of all these meetings is to show businesses how to make money.

3. Feedback from the Steering Group meeting – Graham Horler (in place of JFB)

Funding has been secured to DSEN Secretariat. EDF has agreed to fund £10,000 a year for the next three years.

Devon Sustainable Energy Strategy Task Group Meeting taking place on 29th Nov.

Action: FS send notes of this meeting out to all members.

So far the strategy has been endorsed by Devon and Torbay Strategic Partnerships. Plymouth is engaged in principal. All DSEN members are promoting it from all angles.  

Action: RT to raise it at the next 20:20 Board meeting.

4. Proposed roll out of profitable operations for business through the sustainable energy agenda.

All agreed that this has been discussed throughout the meeting. A key issue is to show businesses that sustainable energy is worthwhile, and it is important to unravel the confusion over the different technology options and all the different agencies involved.

RH suggested someone do a one page summary document, ideally some sort of flow chart that shows businesses who to go to for what, advice/finance etc.

Action: GH will bring it up at the Devon Sustainable Energy Strategy meeting.

5. Action Plan.

This item will be rolled over to next meeting as JFB was not present.

6. AOB

Mid Devon Business Association Conference – Friday 9th March 2007. AL is organising this event around the theme of ‘energy’. He wants it to be an uplifting and positive event, focussing on what businesses can do and how to do it. No doom and gloom! This event can possibly link to events mentioned by GH on behalf of JFB.

Action: RT will ask EnVision for their Top 10 Tips for businesses.

Action: FS circulate to DSEN membership a request for charismatic energising speakers with good examples. Preferably from Mid Devon area.

Action: AL to email pdf flyer to RT to circulate among Federation of Small Business members in Mid Devon.

Suggestions for DSEN. Is it possible for contact details to be sent out with the minutes? Discussion over locations of future meetings, considering; parking, ease for public transport, central location, arranging car sharing (today two attendees both drove up from Plymouth independently). Suggestions included EDF Office at Sowton, Tiverton.

RT would like Torbay Leisure Centre’s recent carbon saving activities to feature on DSEN website.

Action: FS to look into these issues.

Date of Next Meeting:

Dates and venues for all of the sub group meetings for 2007 TBA.