South East Essex
Friends of the Earth

SEEFoE Meeting, 2nd October 2007

Agenda for SEEFoE Meeting of 2nd October 2007, 7:30pm

  1. Apologies for absence
  2. Minutes of last meeting
  3. Big Ask
  4. Football Stadium
  5. Renaissance Southend
  6. Environmental Rights
  7. Report on Essex Transport Conference (SF)
  8. Nuclear consultation - http://nuclearpower2007.direct.gov.uk/
  9. Report on FoE Conference 2007 (DW)
  10. Marinet
  11. Forthcoming Events
  12. Next meeting
  13. AOB

Minutes

  1. Apologies for absence:
    Sarah Fuller, Michael Downer, Sue Willis-Green
    Present:
    Denis Walker (DW), Peter Walker (PW), Michael Woolcott (MW), Gabrielle Yeadell (GY), Jon Fuller (JF) and Kim Power (KP).
  2. Minutes of last meeting:
    Proposed DW. Agreed by all.
  3. Big Ask:
    DW screened a video from FoE which set out the achievements of the campaign so far and next steps. FoE will continue to press the government for a minimum target for greenhouse gas emission cuts of 80% by 2050. People were invited to submit their own video requests for action via the FoE website. These will be presented to MPs. DW mentioned the following points: -
    • Due to a family bereavement DW and PW would not be available for the next Big Ask event planned for Grays on 6 October. It was agreed to postpone.
    • The SEE FoE group is now on the I Count (Stop Climate Chaos website). See: http://www.icount.org.uk/get_involved/explore_the_map/default.asp
    • Howard Whitehead, eastern region co-ordinator has asked to join us on one of our Big Ask events. DW wills et this up.
    • FoE nationally has recommended George Monbiots latest book “Heat”. It provides stacks of reference material and sets out a series of proposals to lead the UK to a zero carbon economy by 2030.
  4. Southend United Football Stadium - planning appeal:
    The group discussed the planning appeal and public enquiry and set out the reasons why the group was opposed to the application. DW listed the arguments people had given against the proposal and agreed to draft a suitable letter to the Inspector. People would be able to use this to submit their own comments.
  5. Renaissance Southend:
    DW reported that Renaissance Southend had invited the group to a meeting to discuss the alternative vision put forward. DW said he would refine the document a little further, circulate this via e-mail for comments and would then arrange a meeting.
  6. Environmental Rights
    DW reported on a new environmental rights telephone advice line created by FoE to advise local groups. He learned about this at the FoE national conference.
  7. Report on Essex Transport Conference (SF):
    SF was not present and so could not provide a report back on what transpired at the conference. (SF had sent apologies and was giving an environmental presentation that evening).
  8. Nuclear consultation:
    DW explained why FoE nationally had pulled out of the government’s consultation on nuclear power. The campaign felt that the consultation process was flawed for a number of reasons but objected particularly to the failure of government to discuss the alternatives to nuclear power and the Prime Minister’s public statements in favour of nuclear. It was clear that the decision to go back to nuclear had already been taken and the consultation was seen as a sham.
    Individuals could make their own submissions if they wished and were referred to a document recently circulated by e-mail by JF.
    A lively debate then ensued on the wisdom, or otherwise, of the government’s proposal to build a Severn Estuary Barrier.
  9. Report on FoE Conference 2007:
    DW reported back on what transpired at national conference and the special sessions he opted to attend. A highlight of the event was a speech by Hilary Benn MP but sadly he was not as progressive on climate change related issues as delegates would have wished.
    DW asked people to consider the new Local Groups handbook and noted some of the useful hints and tips it contains. The group specifically gave some thought to the section on “engaging with the community”. The group was keen to pursue a suggestion made by DW that the group worked with a local school to promote awareness of environmental issues and solutions.
  10. Marinet:
    DW reported on current Marinet campaigns including: -
    • Publicity on the effects of marine aggregate extraction;
    • The impact of rising sea temperatures on Cod; and
    • The demand for a Marine Reserve Bill that would secure the total protection of 30% of UK seas from exploitation.
  11. Forthcoming Events
    • 26/10 - SEEOG celebrate Apple Day with a Ceilidh
    • 08/12 - National Climate March: http://www.campaigncc.org/
      JF promoted the use of the “climate criminals” materials and said these could be resurrected for a second outing if people wished.
  12. Next meeting:
    The next SEEFoE meeting will be on 6 November at 7:30pm at 62 East Street, Southend.
  13. AOB:
    The London Freewheel event was discussed which PW and JF attended. PW provided some photographs.