BACK TO PUBLIC SECTOR SUB GROUP PAGE
1. Attendance
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and accepted by the group.
4. Matters Arising:
5. Feedback from Steering Group meeting 3rd February 2006
For a full account of the steering group meeting please see minutes attached. It was commented on that the attendance at the recent meetings has been very poor. IB and AS had put together a paper suggesting a way forward for this group which Andy Seaman had brought to the steering group and was discussed. This group felt the document should be circulated to all members for agreement.
Action: Jo to send out document with minutes (please see attached)
The group continued to discuss the future direction for this sub group and ways to improve support and participation. It was agreed that the meetings needed to have a focused agenda, in order for attendees to see the point in coming. Using this time to network and share information, perhaps in a workshop style setting, would be of more use to the group.
Ian Bateman stated that he is putting Devon CC through the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Management programme so could share experiences of this with the other LA’s through this sub group. The group discussed the possibility of running a series of workshops to disseminate information from the Carbon Management programme to LA’s. This was seen to be a sensible way forward. IB will attend a launch on May 11th where he should hopefully obtain a calendar of events for the year.
The programme has four main focuses:
Establish carbon footprint
Identify highest contributors (i.e. transport, street lighting etc.)
Set a realistic target for carbon reduction
Decide on some actions to achieve this
It would therefore make sense to hold the first workshop towards the end of May, following the launch, and base this session on calculating carbon footprints. It was felt that councils need to lead by example and by sharing this information everyone will benefit. Therefore the new aim for this group for 2006/07 is proposed to be:
“To promote an understanding within Devon's public sector of
how to achieve carbon reductions through carbon footprinting.”
Action: IB to work up a document for guidance on calculating a carbon footprint to be used in the workshop and thereafter available for reference.
Action: Jo and IB to set up a workshop session towards the end of May in place of the next public sector sub group meeting, the focus of which will be to show LA’s how to calculate their carbon footprint.
Also discussed was the possibility of first allowing participants to calculate the carbon footprint for a hypothetical LA but asking them to bring data from their own authority to have a go at the real calculations. The day will also include a discussion around the next steps to carbon reduction. Following this workshop a plan for the rest of the year can be made.
6. Annual Conference – Jo Nicholson
Jo explained how we are endeavoring to make the conference carbon neutral by offsetting carbon produced through tree planting, in partnership with CO2 Balance who plant trees in Crediton. It was also mentioned that food would be locally produced, a free bus service would be on offer and minimal waste through printing would be produced. Already 80 attendees are registered and 20 exhibitors have expressed an interest. The group discussed the timetable for the day and decided more time needed to be given to Q&A session, and the exhibitors needed to be asked not to leave early. Jo asked the group to assist with publicizing the conference through their contacts.
Update: The conference was a great success and documents and presentations are now available on the website at http://www.dsen.org.uk/index/events/annual_conference_2006.htm
7. AOB
Mid Devon have got through a Supplementary Planning Guidance which states anyone wishing to build a new fuel station must give serious consideration to bio diesel / bio ethanol.
The next consultation for the RSS is in May June.
Devon CC are putting together LDF guidance document.
Action: Jo to circulate document.
The date of the next meeting and venue will be confirmed ASAP.
