BACK TO RENEWABLE ENERGY SUB GROUP PAGE
1. Introductions
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were examined and all agreed the actions had been satisfactorily carried out. The minutes were agreed to be a true reflection of the meeting and were officially accepted.
ACTION: Jo to amend date on minutes to reflect correct date
4. Matters Arising
Website – Jo is still awaiting information from volunteers regarding locally based case studies on RE technologies.
Update: The information which has been received is now available on the DSEN website at http://www.dsen.org.uk/index/sub-groups/renewable/refactsandcasestudies.htm however Jo is still waiting for the rest of the fact sheets / case studies to be submitted.
Mid Devon had used a consultant for sustainable energy and how this was funded was being investigated. No response has been received as yet.
Action: PB chasing a response from MDDC
Both DSENs support for events and the Devon RE strategy were addressed at the steering group and will be fed back later.
5. Feedback from Steering Group meeting
For a full account please see minutes attached.
The issue of problems with planning applications in North Devon was raised.
Action: NB to liaise with John Sunderland regarding specific issues.
The steering groups decision on event support was that it would be better left to member organisations to actively support events as it may place some members of DSEN in a compromising position. Members of the group were not happy with this decision and felt that DSEN could have a presence at such events without affiliating with a specific project. It was decided that general events would be OK to attend but project specific events should be avoided.
The Devon RE Action Plan was discussed at the steering group meeting and decided that it is a historically important document as it details the origins and formation of DSEN but is not current therefore does not require revision.
Update: This document is available for download on the RESG homepage http://www.dsen.org.uk/index/sub-groups/renewable.htm
The DTi’s energy review consultation was discussed and the potential for a coordinated response from DSEN considered.
Action: Any volunteers to do this to contact Jo
6. Conference update
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. RED update
The bid is coming up on Thursday with Rural Renaissance and should go ahead. OJ2 have put this project down as a priority so there should be an announcement in time for the conference on March 27th.
Update: The bid has now been approved and meetings are taking place to discuss the delivery of RED’s objectives. For further info download Mark Hodgsons presentation from the DSEN conference at http://www.dsen.org.uk/index/events/annual_conference_2006.htm
8. Sub Group Action Plan / Priorities
Tony has begun putting some names by actions. Please see attached action plan for full information.
Updates on Actions:
1. Produce SW focused best practice case studies & network of exemplar installations and projects: Some information has been sent to enable this to happen, but much is still missing.
Action: All volunteers to send their case studies to Jo ASAP.
The importance of good quality case studies was also discussed.
2. Encourage Devon RE businesses and emphasise the relevance to the local economy:
3. Promote the positive benefits of RE to communities – Link to the Renewable Energy in Devon (RED) project.
4. Compile a RE database of Devon, SW based businesses: It was suggested that the Devon RE guide be rewritten and brought up to date. Kate Dooley is developing a list of Devon based installers / suppliers and it is hoped this will be available by May.
5. Provide RE training for councillors and officers (particularly at a district level): Need to develop a programme of what has been done and establish a route for the future. The importance of identifying the training need was discussed, as was the need to establish LA’s training budget. Training is worth commercial investment and it was suggested that companies such as NPower might be able to contribute. Kate Harris is organising a series of planners events around food and farming and it was suggested that RE training could be combined with this. Discussion also took place around needing to bid to LA’s for this type of work in April and make sure our training is aimed at the right level; members need to be familiar with the concept, whereas officers need more detailed information.
6. Make available objective information about the various RE technologies: IT was suggested that the Devon RE guide be put on the DSEN website.
Action: Jo to contact Ian Hutchcroft to obtain a soft copy of this.
7. Carry out a major community focused media campaign about sustainable energy: It was suggested that a good celebrity for this would be TV’s Penny Poizer. The importance of media coverage for the conference was discussed.
Action: Mel H to send Jo list of media contacts.
8. Influence Planning Policy (SPGs). Produce a model SPD for RE that can be adapted for individual authorities: It was decided we need to get an update from LA’s as to where they are with their plans. Also discussed was a new document from GOSW around writing policies
9. Develop supportive RE policies for Local Planning Authorities across Devon: Tony will be speaking at an event on March 14th at Exeter Racecourse designed to start developing policies for sustainable energy at a local level.
10. Support local RE companies to supply demand: The DSEN website can be used as a tool for finding suppliers in Devon. Any RE companies wishing to link to the website should send their www addresses to Jo.
Action: RE companies wishing to be linked to the DSEN website should send their web addresses to Jo
11. Persuade funders to support smaller schemes (not just large turbines): The DTi funded ‘Clear Skies’ Programme is currently supporting small scale projects. This will be replaced in April by the ‘Low Carbon Building Programme’, a similar scheme for domestic householders and communities to apply for funding. It was suggested a link to this be made available on the DSEN website.
Update: Low Carbon Building Programme is now up and running. Further info can be found at www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/funding/lowcarbonbuildings/ or by calling 0800 915 7722
12. Lobby Government to introduce building regulations and planning policies that require more RE and energy efficiency
9. Changes to Part L of the Building Regulations – Dan Lash, Centre for Energy and the Environment, University of Exeter.
Dan gave a presentation on changes to building regulations and what it means.
Action: Jo to send presentation with minutes.
Update: Please find presentation attached
10. Projects / News / Events
Tony is investigating energy services in Devon. From this he will present a range of RE projects which will suit an ESCO type set up. Three scales will be suggested; large, medium and small, and he will present his findings at a workshop day planned for May.
RR – Den Brook wind farm application was refused by WDBC and RES are finding in general that LA’s are not supportive of wind farm applications, largely due to visual impact. Other landowners such as the MOD and very supportive. It would be useful if LA’s could express their opinion earlier in the process to save much wasted time and effort.
Out of 6 applications in Devon only one has got through and this one was on appeal.
SH – Batsworthy Cross wind farm application is ongoing and submission is expected in Mid March. Any queries received regarding this should be directed to Simon Holt Simon.Holt@npower-renewables.com
DA – Fullabrook wind farm application is going to committee in July
11. AOB
‘Energy for All’ – The Westmill Wind Farm in Oxfordshire is selling shares. This is a great opportunity for investment into a growing industry.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
6th June 2006, 1.30 – 4pm
Committee Room A, Northcote house
Exeter University
1.30pm - 4.00pm
