Meeting on 13th August 2014at Bournemouth Natural Science Society

Attendees

Angela Pooley (AP) – East Dorset Friends of the Earth (Chair)John Cresswell (JC) – Bournemouth Natural Science SocietyNeil Short (NS) – BBC, Environment and Regeneration ServicesRoxanne Humphries (RH) – BBC, Environment and Regeneration ServicesAdrian Dawson – Local Sustainable Food Partnership, ChairJohn Gunn (JG) – IDEA Ian Terry (IT) - IDEA

Invited Guests

Lee Green (LG) – BBC, Environment and Regeneration ServicesMichael French (MF) – Bournemouth Scene

1. Apologies

Councillor David Smith (CDS) - BBC, Cabinet Member for Planning and EnvironmentJeffrey Newman (JN) – Earth Charter, UK DirectorTricia Zimmerman (TZ) – Environmental Learning SolutionsTheresa McManus (TM) – Transition Bournemouth / DEACMary Thornton (MT) – Bournemouth Natural Science SocietyNicki Brunt (NB) – Dorset Wildlife Trust, Living Landscapes ManagerChris Shiel (CS) – Bmth University, Associate Professor, School of Applied SciencesHoward Curtis – Avonbourne College, Senior Teacher, Citizenship and FairtradeDebbie Clifton (DC) – Bournemouth 2026 Development ManagerIlham Shebani (IS) – Build Self Group

2. Minutes of last meeting

Minutes of the last meeting were agreed. Actions arising will be covered on the agenda.The TEST Pilot Scheme report has been submitted to Dorset LEP and it has been agreed that the Dorset LNP will monitor progress for the immediate future. The Earth Charter stand at the LGA Conference in July was well received – thanks to all SUSTAIN members who volunteered time to man it. Chris Shiel submitted an article on the conference to the Think Global website, which was published on 17/07/14. RH presented at the Fairtrade event at BU during the Festival of Learning 2014, which was well received.

3. Project Progress Reports

Sustainable Food ConferenceThe event involved 5 workshop discussions to bring people together to capture information and inspire collaboration. Decided that Community Growing will continue as a standalone project; other ideas will be combined to maximise outcomes as activities are taken forward. Meeting with the Chair of Faithworks is taking place to merge community food growing projects. Members felt it was a well organised event, all had opportunity to contribute and there was a varied spread of attendees. An evaluation is being prepared.

Slades Farm Community GardenIn TM’s absence, the Chair reported that the garden is very popular with schools, organisations and individuals. Still need volunteers to help, especially with the digging of a pond and general farming duties. An unforeseen problem with the installation of the SUSTAIN-funded tool shed (freight container), which needs to be customised and secured. TM requests that SUSTAIN grant a further £1000 to the project to ensure completion fit for purpose. AP asked if the group provisionally agreed to the additional funding and the management of the funding to be handled by NS and AP. AP proposed, seconded by JC. Group voted in favour of granting additional funding.

4. Faith update IT informed the group how he had been introduced to the Earth Charter through Rabbi Neil, who suggested that different faith groups take it in turn to run the initiative and be involved in the process. IT is currently studying theology degree at Winchester University and has an interest in ecological integrity. He has ideas of how to take the project forward and a positive response from BBC, but less so from faith communities. The Reformed Jewish community is awaiting a new Rabbi to replace Rabbi Neil. Some enthusiasm from the Orthodox Jewish Community – Faith Links have had some involvement – and from the Council of Christians and Jews. Little interest from local Muslim community and also local Christian communities – feeling that there are other priorities at this time. Good to know realistic picture of enthusiasm and commitment locally for BGB – makes for realistic expectations and more directed and appropriate action going forward. Earth Charter will be discussed at a meeting this evening, Chaired by IT to bring it to the forefront of people’s minds.

It was noted by members that some Christian and Jewish communities will not sign EC because preamble refers to evolution twice. Need to communicate that signing up to endorse every word is not essential. Also, the EC is not just about environmental sustainability, but social too. Perhaps the BGB name should be changed to illustrate wider sustainability principles. MF went to meeting of Arocha charity. Regularly engage with MPs. Need for faith communities need to engage in environmental and climate change issues. An event around faith and climate change/environmental challenges was suggested, but it was agreed that faith groups are already doing a lot in regards to food and fuel poverty, Fairtrade and other issues. We don’t necessarily want to organise an event or tell them how to respond, but need to speak with communities and see what they want to do to take action going forward. IT said all faith groups are at different stages and need to work with communities to develop own discussions and actions. Supports the view that faith groups shouldn’t sell themselves short – already doing lots of good things. Currently implementing sustainable and ecologically positive heating systems, for instance.Chair suggested further discussions with IT to see how to take the BGB and other activities forward. Bournemouth 2026 did lots of past work to map faith groups.

Agreed: IT to sign up as 2026 member and review faith group mapping document produced around 5 years ago.

5. Sustainable Impact Assessment (SIA) Tool LG explained that the SIA tool had been in development within the Council for some time. It is intended to help project managers create better, more robust business cases, whist giving decision makers the information they need to make decisions based on the sustainability and value for money of projects over time. It integrates sustainability checks with the Equality Impact requirements, Health & Safety obligations and other needs. The sustainability aspect uses the Earth Charter principles. Although intended for Council use, it is hoped that eventually partners will wish to use the tool. Members were shown pages from the computer-based tool and taken through the process. The usefulness was discussed and it was hoped that Council decisions would become more sustainable as a result. There would shortly be a period of trialling within the Council to ensure the tool was fit for purpose.

Agreed: SUSTAIN is satisfied with the progress made on the SIA.

6. Bournemouth Scene MF explained his role of 6 years as Bournemouth’s Nightclub Chaplain. He has produced a guide of ‘good places’ in Bournemouth – an alternative guide to small, individual, unique businesses and places. He is setting up a Community Interest Company to shout about the good things in Bournemouth and bring people together. This will identify ‘alternative’ groups in the Town, also looking at the arts, positive pursuits (dance, music, and arts) and the natural environment – ‘Bournemouth Scene Gone Green’. Environmental interests are growing in the area, with pockets of activity. MF asked what message do we want to get out to people, how can we get the message out? What are the barriers to people becoming greener and more sustainable – education, definitions, attitudes? Funding for providing a green guide would be £10k over 6-8 months approx. currently funded through sponsorship of advertising space.

Agreed: Connections to be made with Sarah Watson, Fairtrade Group, Go Green team, Green Goals and SUSTAIN funding

7. Fairtrade Steering Group Currently preparing resubmission in February 2015. Fairtrade took part in the Entente Florale competition, which highlights sustainability and linked with JP Morgan. New Fairtrade flowerbed in the lower gardens thanks to Parks team.

8. Community Land Trust Update

AP reported that the Gladstone Mews project is almost complete, Hub now open and operational. 11 houses nearly finished, awaiting tenancy. All 11 properties, except for assisted living bungalow, have been provisionally sold. AP is part of the application team and mortgage applications currently being organised. Viewing of properties can be arranged through AP and Clare Hirst (2026).

Agreed: NS will email SUSTAIN members to arrange viewing.

9. Cycling Forum Update

AP reported that Castle Lane West improvements should be excellent for cyclists and that the Travel Interchange is the next big project which will offer lots of sustainable travel options

10.Any Other Business

Currently a vacancy on the LEP Board – view website for details.

LNP Forum in October to focus on the Dorset Natural project and valuing nature.

Agreed: NS to circulate details to SUSTAIN members and confirm conference date.

BCHA campaign ‘Miles for Hope’ – GC will be organising an event.

Ringwood tools for self reliance scheme was discussed.

JG marine update – MMO just closed consultation on future planning guidelines. Idea to recommend guiding principles for MMO to use to promote sustainability in marine activities.

11.Date of next meeting

Wednesday 12th November 2014, 10-12