1. Minutes of Last Meeting
The minutes were accepted. TN submitted a few minor corrections.
2. Devon Sustainable Energy Strategy (SES) – Tony Norton
TN gave an overview of the process taken in developing the Devon SES. Various changes have been made to the structure of the Carbon Reduction Strategy document, which is now more concise. The document identifies what needs to be done to meet government climate change targets and how, in theory, they can be achieved. TN also highlighted that the focus of the document is not just about the environmental agenda but also about stimulating the local economy.
Due to the scale of the task, (i.e. the cost and complexity in meeting climate change targets) it was agreed by all that the document needs to be presented as an analysis rather than a strategy and that the next steps should be to work out what can actually be achieved on the ground. Delivery plans for each of the proposed strategy sub groups should be developed to meet the ‘analysis’ objectives. A one page strategy document without targets could then be added to this. It was agreed that each LSP should lead on the delivery of action and its own targets in each area.
JS suggested that the analysis should be fed back to the regions to highlight the scale of the problem.
IH informed the group that the Devon SES paper was presented to the Devon Strategic Partnership (DSP) delivery board in April and was well received. Membership of the DSP includes senior managers/directors from the 9 Local Authorities, PCT’s, English Nature and the Environment Agency. The proposal will be given high priority in the review of the Devon Sustainable Community Strategy and consequentially the Local Area Agreements.
TB questioned the short timescale of the proposal and the scale of funding required to meet targets. TN explained that the short timescale was intentional to highlight the urgency of the situation to key decision makers.
CD and MF gave an update on the Plymouth and Torbay LSP perspectives. CD noted that the timescale for Plymouth to sign up to the proposal was too short and that it would need to link to other pieces of work in progress, due for completion in Sept/Oct. MF mentioned that in Torbay they want the proposal to link to the outcome of the Carbon Trust Carbon Management Programme. Torbay are having a cabinet meeting on the 5th June where hoping to get concrete agreement for the initiative.
IH outlined the new proposed structure of the delivery groups, i.e. 5 Direct and 3 cross cutting (see below) and discussion ensued on who potential lead partners could be for each.
Delivery Group Proposed Lead
Direct
BusinessEnvision partnership (led by Env. Agency)
DomesticLocal Authority HECA Group + Westcountry Energy Action
Large Scale REExeter University
Zero Carbon Development Devon Sustainable Business Initiative
Transport ReductionDevon County Council
Cross Cutting
Creative Investment SolutionsNeeds Discussion
Skills & Capacity Building D&C Learning and Skills Council
Leadership and CommunicationDSEN Steering Group
It was suggested that each delivery group should look at the delivery of the strategy objectives and identify a) the impact of any national schemes on the sector delivery group and b) what the general barriers are.
NP reported that at the Devon Strategic Partnership delivery board meeting that it was suggested that there needs to be a mapping exercise to highlight what’s already being done and by whom. TN said that this would be done as part of the delivery plans for each of the sub groups.
JS suggested that the remit for each delivery group/plan needs to be outlined. Action: TN and IH to produce 1st Draft for steering group to comment upon by the 1st June. Action All: Comments back by 8th June.
MH questioned where RE4D would sit within the new proposed structure and highlighted that making skills and capacity building a cross cutting theme could detract from the importance of this area of work.
TN welcomed input and asked that steering group feed back any comments of the draft strategy in bullet form format, possibly with follow up phone call. Action: Get comments to TN by 25th May.
It was agreed that a special meeting needs to be set up by the end of June to involve possible new chairs of the direct and cross cutting sub groups. Action: FS coordinate this meeting.
FS highlighted the need to inform the rest of the DSEN membership about the process taking place and suggested that a letter needs to be sent to all members. Action: FS draft up letter for JS to send out.
3. RE4D Update
MS circulated a project report and highlighted the following.
•In terms of RE4D outputs it is expected that targets will be met by the end of the programme.
•50K funding secured from the Learning and skills council to look at RE skills and future capacity building.
•Grants system now establishes and underway.
NP suggested that a geographic analysis of the lead generated would be useful information for project partners. Action: MS will provide info on this.
4. Funding and Finance
FS reported that a total of 18K has been secured to cover core costs. 1.5 K from each of the district authorities and Devon County Council and 3K from EDF energy. Mid Devon DC have declined to support DSEN core costs.
5. Chairs reports
Domestic Energy and Health – Graham Horler
There was poor attendance at the last meeting due to meeting conflict. Apart form this it was a productive meeting. For the next DoE&H meeting a special training session has been planned, using a housing consultant, around how tackling the thermal comfort criterion can help meet the Decent Homes Standard.
Business – FS informed the group that the last meeting had been cancelled.
Renewable Energy – Paul Baker
The last RESG meeting was on 13th Feb at Uni of Exeter, 17 attendees chaired by TN with assistance from John Baker for RE4D. PB noted that the RESG is defined as an advisory/sounding board for RE installers as far as RE4D is concerned, it provides the interface between the RE industry and the initiatives and strategies pushing RE development in Devon.
John Baker has begun to increase the presence of installers at meetings, and we hope to continue with this trend. There is currently a unique and good relationship and interaction that is invaluable for future RE expansion.
TN went through the SES – giving the industry the chance to understand and consider the implications for them.
John Baker gave an update on RE4D and there was particular interest in the Technology Growth Plans, and a good deal of discussion about the problems of insufficient installer capacity. This will be on-going. Expansion presents major challenges to small companies. Some would rather not expand and others need confidence in future trade levels and support in respect of training and financial advice. This led neatly to a useful presentation about the provision of skills training – and from all members, especially focussing on the progress of local wind farm applications.
6. AOB
MF informed the group that he will be leaving Torbay and that Sally Farley would be representing Torbay’s interests in the future. MF said how much he had enjoyed participating in the sub group. Thanks was given to Mike for his valuable input.
DONM
21st Sept, Larkebeare House, Exeter.
