Notes from TBH Forum meeting – Wed 29 October

Notes by David Greenop

The Forum was held at: The Werks, 45 Church Road, Hove, 7.30 pm to 9.30pm

Present: Jim Adams, David Greenop, Ann Baldridge, Martin Grimshaw, Doly Garcia, John Bristow, Jo Nean, Lauren & Jenny

Feedback from Transition Interest Groups

Energy Group: The Energy group now has two meetings per month, the main meeting is on the second Tuesday of the month and there is a topic meeting on the fourth Tuesday of the month. The last topic meeting focused on the energy groups input into the EDRAP. Representatives of the Energy group have been invited by Scottish Power Group to a workshop being held by them at the Thistle Hotel on the 12th November. The workshop is being run by consultants on behalf of Scottish Power Group and involves stakeholders from across the local community to discuss local energy issues. The Energy group has been working on a proposal for wind turbines at Shoreham Harbour and talking to Councillors on the more general issue of local wind turbines. The meeting asked John Kapp and Graham Ennis to brief the government liaison group on these conversations. In response to a question from Martin Grimshaw there was a brief discussion of the feasibility of local community owned power generation. Members of the Energy group were reminded that the Transition website forum could be used for discussing issues; this was prompted by a recent closed email discussion which may have been of interest to others.

Transport Group: The Transport group meets on the third Monday of each month. There has been a joint meeting of the Energy & Transport group to discuss electric vehicles within the context of encouraging local use of clean or renewable fuels. This was a good example of across group collaboration. Notes of this meeting are available here. The possibility of a public talk on local transport is being explored for January. The Transport group is currently looking for a new coordinator as Graham is suffering from RSI.

Food Group: The Food group meet on the third Tuesday of the month. There are regular workdays at the allotment on the first and third Saturday of the month; if you come along please bring some food to share. A reskilling day is being planned for the 6th December focussing on bread making. The group is continuing to work on its aims and principles. The group is collaborating with B&H Food Partnership on a “Grow Your Neighbours Own” scheme. A pilot is underway with matching three gardeners with three gardens. It is hoped to have a public matching event next year.

Waste Group: There was no representative present to feedback. The meeting asked about the status of the possible Marie Harder community lead waste project.

Business & Economics Group: This group was now back and running and meets on the second Wednesday of every month. The last meeting, although a low attendance, was very productive. A group mission statement has been drafted and a possible new name for the group is being explored that better reflects its aims. An outreach programme is being explored to get people involved and a leaflet is being prepared that can be distributed to local business etc. This could include looking for sponsorship for a mums & kids open space event.

Heart & Soul Group: The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month. At the last meeting the group brainstormed ideas for its aims and principles as well as possible events etc. The focus of the group is developing ones own inner world and the psychology of change; this includes questioning and transforming our fundamental attitudes and assumptions about the world. One idea from the brainstorming was for linking with, through solidarity and friendship, with communities around the world and exploring dialogue with them on issues of change and transformation. This could include transition town initiatives in other countries as well as with communities in difficult parts of the world. The group is helping to organise a “Work that Connects” workshop on the 30th November, when finalised information will be available on the TB&H website.

Building Group: The Building group is not currently meeting on a regular basis and is looking for coordinator. However, John Bristow and David Greenop have been developing a B&H Building Energy Efficiency & Refurbishment project that would fit within the remit of this group. John has been networking amongst local eco-building experts to identify professionals who could advise and participate in such a project. A small project initialisation or steering group has been formed. In addition two large apartment blocks have agreed to be involved in an energy efficiency survey pilot that will involve not only professional experts but the residential communities. A key feature of this project is to understand how to involve residents and other stakeholders such as freeholders and property managing agents.

Local government: There was no representative present from this group.

Energy Descent and Resilience Action Plan (EDRAP): Doly Garcia outlined the progress being made on the EDRAP project. A second meeting had been held in late September to refine the structure and content for the plan; Thurstan Crockett from the Council had attended. The next meeting was scheduled for Saturday 1st November and a request had been made for people to attend from the different Transition Interest groups. There was a potential overlap with the One Planet Living plan that was being developed by Bio-Regional. Many people from TB&H had attended the September Bio-Regional workshops and the output from these would form valuable input into the EDRAP. Longer term our approach is to ensure that the EDRAP continues on from the One Planet Living activity and provides greater local content and detail. The Forum discussed involvement in the EDRAP and its relationship to other activities such Gathering Visions. It was decided that more time be allocated at the next Forum meeting to discussing the EDRAP.

Vision: The meeting discussed the need to make progress on gathering visions and understanding how these relate to activities such as the EDRAP. It was recognised that the vision needs to be a inclusive activity across all communities of B&H. Martin Grimshaw volunteered to organise a Vision preparation meeting to explore how we go about this as well as trying a visioning activity; this is scheduled for Monday 8th December.

Finance Update: Ann Baldridge gave an update on TB&H finances. There is currently £444.07 in the bank; this includes loans for the purchase of the Transition Handbook. So far we have made £76 from the sell of the Handbooks. There are a number of items outstanding to be paid, some from sometime back including costs associated with the website. It was agreed that the website costs should be paid. There was a brief discussion on the principles that we should use in repaying loans etc. It was agreed that Jo Nean and Ann Baldridge would meet to prepare a set of proposals.

Aims & Principles: Still outstanding for sometime was a session on TB&H’s Aims & Principles. It was noted that Frank Jay had offered to facilitate a session on this. We need to understand clearly who are we and what the hell we are doing. This would also reflect on the role and structure of the forum and the need for support roles etc. It was agreed to hold a session on Monday 24th November; Jo Nean offered scope and to organise the meeting.

Transition Celebration: Martin Grimshaw proposed a social event based upon ‘Greendrinks’. The idea is that TB&H would host such an event every couple of months for people active in environmental initiatives across the city. It was thought that Stephen Watson would have ideas in this area and Jo Nean volunteered to contact him.

General news: Jim Adam’s reported back on the CUPP event at Brighton University, there is the possibility of some disabled students helping with the website. Jim will also be giving a talk on Transition to a small group of politics students. Doly Garcia reported back on her attendance at an international peak oil conference in Spain where she discussed her model and networked with a number of key people. Martin Grimshaw gave a brief overview of the Transition Network course he attended in London; he said it was very useful and highly recommended it. John Bristow confirmed that the next Public talk would be on the 4th December.