SEEFoE Meeting, 3rd June 2008

Agenda for SEEFoE Meeting of 3rd June 2008, 7:30pm

1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of last meeting
3. Next Meeting
4. New Local Campaign
5. Power Up 2008
6. Regional Gathering
7. Biofuels Summer of Action
8. Green Fair
9. Display Boards
10. Emergency Renewables Campaign
11. Forthcoming events
12. Any other business

Minutes

1. Apologies for absence:
   Sarah Fuller
   Present:
   Denis Walker (DW), Peter Walker (PW), Michael Woolcott (MW), Gabrielle Yeadell (GY) & Jon Fuller (JF).
2. Minutes of last meeting:
   Not yet available.
3. Next Meeting:
   8 July at 19.30
4. New Local Campaign:
   DW put it to the group that it ought to focus upon a new local campaign during the coming months and put the following options forward: -
   • Tesco and Sainsbury – proposed new stores
   • The closure of the town centre swimming pool
   • Expansion of Southend Airport
   • Priory Crescent widening scheme
   • Southend Football Club – move to Fossets farm
   These options were vigorously debated with other suggestions being made: -
   • The loss of York Road market
   • A pro-cycling campaign intended to encourage sensible investment by Southend BC
   It was agreed that the group would focus upon two issues – a pro-cycling campaign and to stop Southend Airport expansion.
   ACTION:
   JF to draft a letter for DW on the airport
   DW to approach CtoC on the proposed Cinder Path cycle route
   DW to contact CTC to seek their views on how the funding for Southend could best be used.
5. Power Up 2008:
   DW reported back on the FoE event on influencing planning decisions by local authorities. Various materials were handed out to the members present. The DVDs came highly recommended so were to be passed between members. DW said copies of the PowerPoint slides were available upon request.
6. Regional Gathering:
   MW and DW reported back on the regional gathering paying particular attention to the various ways in which local groups were encouraged to improve their internet sites and methods of handling the media. It was also mentioned that the FoE national website was being enhanced and the new style should go live in September or October 2008. DW also offered people a DVD of Martyn Williams report on the Climate Change Bill.
7. Biofuels Summer of Action:
   DW reported on the forthcoming biofuels campaign. He provided some background briefing and set out what FoE hopes to achieve over the coming months. DW asked that people read the “Losing Ground” report on the FoE website. The group would be targeting local MEPs to seek their support to radically overhaul the biofuel regime.
8. Green Fair:
   DW reminded people of the forthcoming green fair (21 June) and encouraged attendance.
9. Display Boards:
   DW recommended that the group fund the purchase of new display boards. Concerns around the cost were discussed at length with agreement that the group would purchase these provided FoE HQ provided a significant contribution.
10. Emergency Renewables Campaign: It was noted that the UK was now the worst performing nation within the EU – getting less energy from renewable sources than any other nation. Evidence was now emerging that the government was seeking to water down the EU renewables directive so FoE nationally would be calling for assistance from local groups to stop further backsliding.
11. Forthcoming events:
    
    • 05/06 - PPPS AGM
      http://www.ppps.org.uk/
      Temple Sutton Primary School
    • 21/06 10am-3pm - Green Fair
      Ashlyns Organic Farm Shop
    • 12-14/09 - Local Groups Conference
      Loughborough University
    DW reported that he would be attending the local groups conference.
12. Any other business:
    DW informed the meeting that he recently agreed to stand for the position of Regional Director for FoE East of England. There was a very real chance that he would be successful which, he cautioned, would impact upon his role with SEE FoE. The group nevertheless, wished him every success.