The final meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council's Sustainbility Commission is open to all, and will be held on Wednesday, 30 April 2008 at 5.00 PM at Council Chamber Brighton Town Hall.
Agenda
50. Procedural Business (copy attached).
51. Minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2008.
52. Convenor's Communications.
53. Public Questions. The closing date for public questions for the meeting to be held on Wednesday 30 April 2008 is 12 noon on Wednesday 23 April 2008.
54. Food for Life Partnership Report (with Presentation) - report of Director of Strategy & Governance (report attached).
54. Appendix 2 - Eco Schools Food Growing and Composting (copy attached).
54. Appendix 3 - Food for Life Partnership Criteria and likelihood of B Schools to meet the Criteria (copy attached).
55. Carbon Management Programme Annual Review - report of Director of Finance & Resources (copy attached).
56. Climate Change Workshop for Councillors - report of Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy (copy attached).
56. Climate Change Worksop for Councillors Appendix 2 (copy attached).
57. Wildlife Advisory Group - report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).
The Sustainability Commission will be replaced by a proposed Sustainability Partnership under the new Governance arrangements, which will be introduced in May 2008. We are seeking for Transition Brighton and Hove to be represented within the new Partnership alongside groups such as the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership and the Wildlife Advisory Group.
The Liaison with Local Government Group recommends attendance at Sustainability Commission/Partnership meetings, since the Agenda items impact on several areas of interest. Some TB&H Groups may well possess expertise among their members.
We hope that a TB&H member may come forward to join one of the panels of experts which will have the function of supporting the new cabinets within the Council. This will help to strengthen the bridge which TB&H is building with Local Government. When we know the criteria for selecting local experts, we will post the information on TB&H's website, so that willing and suitable experts can come forward.
Items from 2008 Sustainability Commission Meetings relevant to TB&H's objectives
Wednesday, 9 January 2008 at 5.00 PM
Options for Reducing Carbon Emissions : Appendix A
Options for Reducing Carbon Emissions : Appendix B
Options for Reducing Carbon Emissions from the Council’s Civic Buildings - report of the Director of Finance & Resources (copy attached).
Scope for reducing energy consumption in street lighting and powering traffic signals in Brighton and Hove
Street Lighting Contract - Presentation by the Assistant Director, Sustainable Transport Powerpoint Presentation
Proposed review of The Council's Sustainability Strategy
Developing a One Planet Living ® Plan for Brighton & Hove - report of the Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy (copy attached)
Reviewing Brighton and Hove's Climate Change Strategy
City Climate Change Strategy: initial stakeholders’ event - report of the Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy (copy attached).
City Climate Change Strategy: summary report (copy attached).
Green Architecture and Permaculture in Brighton and Hove
Green Architecture Day 2008 - report of the Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy (copy attached).
Green Architecture Day 2008 : Report Appendix (copy attached) from Brighton Permaculture Trust.
Meeting Wednesday, 12 March 2008 at 5.00 PM
Home Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty in Brighton & Hove - Presentation by the Housing Sustainability Project Manager.
Wildlife Advisory Group - report of the Director of Environment (copy attached)
Eliminating Plastic Bags and Excessive Packaging - report of the Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy (copy attached)
Eco Open Houses - Presentation by Sustainability Officer.
Call for Restraint on the Issuing and Mass Release of Balloons - report of Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy (copy attached).
Sustainability and New Governance Arrangements
The Sustainability Commission and New Governance Arrangements - report of the Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy (copy attached)
New constitution proposed - changing the system for council decisions
Read the proposed new constitution (PDF 217 KB: 7 pages). Read the details of consultation, which has now finished.
The TB&H Liaison With Local Government Group has asked the Hub of Transition Brighton and Hove to request that responsibility for scrutinising sustainability should lie with the Environment Scrutiny Committee. We feel very strongly that, because of the overarching focus of sustainable development and the impact all aspects of the Council’s work have on sustainability, this function would be better placed with the general overview and scrutiny commission.
Last meeting of The Sustainability Commission - Wednesday 30th April
Notes from hub meeting – Mon 28 Apr
Notes by Ann Baldridge
At the meeting: Jo Nean, John Bristow, John Kapp (new to the hub), Doly Garcia, Simon Brett, Maureen Winder, David Greenop, Ann Baldridge
The group decided the following agenda for the meeting:
1. Feedback from Transition Strategy meeting - John B
2. Feedback from Southeast Transition Gathering - Jo and Simon
3. Ideas from Transition Lewes - Jo
4. Plans for next general meeting and the one after
5. Next steps after The Big Meeting on the 19th of April
Other topics to be discussed, time permitting:
- planning the process for starting the EDAP
- continuing the awareness raising programme, especially reaching out to community groups
Some ideas that came out before the 'meeting proper' started:
- it would be a good idea to have a list of potential meeting venues on the website
- right now, thinking about the EDAP is more about process than content - we should look at how others are doing things and start thinking about who can input
1. Strategy meeting feedback
John summarised the purpose of this meeting. Transition has grown incredibly fast over a small period of time, so this meeting was called by a few Transition initiatives to try to get to grips with what the 'Network' is, how it functions, what its purpose is and what its structure should be. A triangular structure was suggested, composed of the following components:
- Transition movement
- Transition initiating group (i.e. Ben Brangwyn and Rob Hopkins encouraging others to join the movement)
- A world-wide Transition network
The meeting explored the key functions of the network, how it should be organised locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, and it pictured the network now and how it should be. The meeting recognised the need for more networking and connectivity within the network. A paper with the outcomes of this meeting will be made available.
2. Feedback from the Southeast Transition Gathering
The meeting was attended by people from the following Transition initiatives:
Brighton, Eastbourne, Alton, Canterbury, Forrest Row, Guildford, Ditchling, Maidstone (who call themselves Sustainable Maidstone), Woking (who are mulling), Haywards Health (also mulling - Ditchling mulling on joining them), Mayfield, Tunbridge Wells, and Lewes
There was feedback from the national conference and Lewes talked about their experiences. There was also an interactive mapping excerise at the front that people enjoyed and thought could be used at our wider meetings.
3. Ideas from Lewes
Jo reported back from her reading of Lewes' extensive wesbite to share some points that TBH could learn from. Here are the key points:
Meetings, groups, events
- At the beginning TTL had a core group of 6 who met weekly, focused on awareness raising, helped form aims and principles that guide the formation of groups (which once formed are self-organised), then disbanded after the Unleashing.
- Instead of 'network' meetings, they have a monthy, 1.5 hour 'Forum' meeting for group contact people and other people active within Transition Lewes (but anyone is welcome to attend). The Forum allows people to air issues, but it is not a decision-making group (except on principles applying to groups).
- They have a principle: whoever proposes an idea must take it forward
- 21 people from TTL attended a 2hour Permaculture course - this is something we should organise for TBH
- no one speaks twice until everyone's had the chance to speak once
- sometimes there is no agenda until the start of a meeting, when the group plans it together
Email and web
- They have Google Groups with specific purposes for online communication and one called TTL Active for anyone active in TTL for general news and info sharing (this is kind of similar to our Forum).
- the website has loads of useful info, including guidelines for putting on events
- groups are encouraged to work with eachother on events and make sure no two events clash
- their website has a phone number and email address for each group contact person
Money and structure
- they have a Risk-Trust group which formed to think about legal / structural issues
- they had a big discussion to trash out money issues (we should have one too)
- they have a part-time worker and office funded by money from Awards for All; the office sells the Transition manual for 10pounds, or 7 for people active in TTL; they also have an on-line donations page
All of this made us think that we should experiment with the Forum idea - a meeting for group coordinators and other people active in TBH. Once we get a feel for whether this works, we can decide how regularly (or if at all) this group should meet. This group could begin drafting a set of aims and principles different from those outlined in the Constitution, then feed them back to the larger group. This will be announced at the meeting on the 7th of May.
4. 7th of May general meeting - the TBH Big Rethink
There was a discussion about how to organise this meeting in a way that is dynamic and engaging. It was decided to begin with an interactive exercise like that at the Southeast gathering. We could ask people to arrange themselves in a line to show how many meetings they've been to (0 at one end, lots at the other, everything else somewhere inbetween), and then something like 'how scared are you about what's in the news re climate change and peak oil?'. Then there will be an introduction explaining what we've done so far and where we're at now (setting the context for the 're-think'), by Jo and possibly Stephen (Jo to contact Stephen). Then John B will facilitate a World Cafe: there will be four tables to explore:
- what is good about Transition B&H
- what is bad " "
- what is interesting " "
- what is the way forward
Each table will be facilitated by a Hub (or active?) member - Doly, Maureen and David each agreed to facilitate a table. A fourth person is still needed! Please come forward if you're interested.
The idea of the Forum will be introduced at this meeting and a date for its first meeting will be set.
Then, the question arose...do we need general meetings if we have a Forum, and the sense was no! this could answer our problems of trying to make interesting, purposeful general meetings. We hold Forum meetings, intro meetings for newcomers, and this should eliminate the need for general meetings, which can feel pointless.
There was also the sense was that we should set a target for the Unleashing and the end of the hub once we've had some time to see how the Forum works out.
5. AOB
David reported that he's spoken to a woman interested in forming a group for older people. She isn't online, so David will forward her contact details around so someone can make contact - please include Jessica in this mailing.
David to write out Lewes' aims and principles to have on the wall for the meeting on the 7th of May.
NEXT HUB MEETING: Monday, 19 May, the Cowley Club
Workshop: Introduction to Transition Towns and Cities – Sun 27 April
Workshop by Charley Haward. Sunday 27th April 10.00 am - 5.00 pm at Evolution, 2 Sillwood Terrace BN1 2LR Tel 01273 204204 www.evolutionarts.org.uk
'Transition' means we need to learn how-to redesign our local communities - creating a vision of how we can transform our lives for a sustainable future. This workshop is inspired by examples of sustainable urban design and Transition Town projects. We will be exploring how the Transition process can empower us to co-create a future vision and action plan for the people of Brighton and Hove.
Cost: £45 (£35 concessions and earlybird) per day, payable to Evolution
Part of a series of workshops on Designing a Sustainable Future
People are getting more concerned about climate change and about the risks of severe economic recession as oil production passes its peak.Many now want to 'Transition' towards living more sustainably. But their desires are not really reflected within wider society. The 'Transition Network' offers practical, positive steps for whole communities to work together to use energy wisely and create a more positive life for all.
Charley Haward is an educator with over twenty years experience. As a 'Transition' facilitator, she is one of the founding members of Transition Brighton & Hove and is actively involved with local Transition projects in Brighton and Lewes. She has studied Permaculture with Ben Law and applies sustainability principles in her work as an artist and designer.
For more information on Transition Towns see this website, and national websites www.transitiontowns.org and www.transitionculture.org
Spring in the Patch: Bring & Share Event – Sun 27 April
"Spring has most definitely sprung in the Patch, and we hope you’ll be coming to see the pond, plants, wildlife and other new additions at next week’s get together on SUNDAY 27th APRIL from 1 – 4pm, William Clarke Park, (entrance from Hartington Road or Picton Street)."
· We’ve a range of musical talents from Soul, Acoustic to springtime Jazz. If you want to play there will be a PA for use... Studioscape will be running singing workshops
· Craft activities for children – making bunting flags & jewellery boxes & more… (Money raised to go to Patch funds
· Plant cuttings table – please bring your cuttings (Money raised to go to Patch funds)
· Food share table – please bring food (Money raised to go to Patch funds)
· Rounders, Boule, Badmington & other games
· Love That Stuff, ethical trade stalls
· Free sessions of acupuncture with Juliana
· Transition Town Brighton & Hove
· The Turkish Shop stall
· The Friends information stand will be there – recruiting help for PatchFest!
· Bring your own things to sell – (Small donations for Patch funds)
· Visit the pond and check out the wildlife & sit on the fabulous new railway sleeper benches!
We hope that this will be a real community event for us all to get together, meet neighbours and friends and other people living in the area, to relax and enjoy the Patch in its springtime glory. For a stall please contact Alex on 07939002047.
www.williamclarkepark.org.uk
We look forward to seeing you next week (unless it snows!)
Please note there will not be a tea tent at this event! But there will be a portaloo…
Swapo-Rama-Rama clothes swap and revamp – Sat 26 April
Clothes swapping and customising day. Sat 26 April, 11am–4pm at the Cowley Club, 12 London Road, Brighton (map) (£donation)
Bring unwanted clothes and learn to alter, mend, embroider, sequin, etc... customise your new finds! Also recycled cloth bags and other workshops.There will be talks and films on the sustainable clothing production and use. More info: textiles*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk
Film: You'll Never Bike Alone – Fri 25 April
'You Never Bike Alone' is an 80-minute documentary about the cycling scene in Vancouver. It covers Critical Mass and lots of cycle activism from the home of the World Naked Bike Ride. 8pm–late at The Caroline of Brunswick pub, 39 Ditchling Road, Brighton (map). £free/donations.
Including a really good bit about tall bikes and various other bicycles made by welding parts of other bikes together. Come and be inspired! Short films of the Brighton Naked Bike Ride will also be shown. The event is clothing-optional. The film screening follows the first springtime Critical Mass bike ride of the year. Meet 6pm at the Level to ride around the heart of Brighton & Hove!
http://criticalmass.wikia.com/wiki/Brighton
More info on the film here.
Meeting: Health group – Wed 23 April
The Health group will be meeting at a private address at 6pm. Please email health*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk or call John on 01273 417997 for more details.
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Meeting: Food group – Tue 22 April
The meeting will take place Tuesday the 22nd of April, 7:30pm, upstairs at the Earth and Stars pub on the corner of Church Road and Windsor Street (map).
The Food Group held its first event, an awareness raising event called From Planet to Plate: think global, eat local, on Saturday the 12th of April. The event went well after a slow start, but there are surely lots of lessons to be learned. Therefore we’d like to hold a meeting to discuss how it went, what we could do better next time, etc. We’ll also be discussing what our next steps should be.
I realise that this is very short notice – many apologies, we’ll give better notice in future – but everyone is most welcome to come take part, whether or not you were involved on the 12th. We felt it important to hold a meeting sooner rather than later so we could have a de-brief and get some feedback. Please join us if you can! More details: food*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk
Conference: Achieving Level 6 - Practical Ways to Design for the Code for Sustainable Homes – Tue 22 April
The Low Carbon Trust in conjunction with RIBA South East are hosting a one-day conference about achieving higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes through good design on 22nd April at the Thistle Hotel in Brighton.
Everyone is talking about the Code for Sustainable Homes, which becomes mandatory for all new build houses in May 2008.
It can be hard enough designing and building homes that attain Level 3 of the Code - but can we achieve Level 6?
The conference will look in detail at specific materials and design challenges, the political imperative in the South East to build sustainable homes and will provide up-to-date information on changes to the Code currently in the pipeline.
Through a series of speakers and workshops, delegates will gain a clearer understanding of the implications of zero carbon homes and how their buildings can achieve the highest possible level of the code - or beyond!
Download a booking form here. Any questions please contact RIBA South East on 01892 515878
Energy Group meeting - Tuesday 22nd April
The next Energy Group meeting will be on Tuesday 22nd April, 7:30, at the Sanctuary Cafe.
You will be able to identify the correct table because there will be a windmill model on it.
Notes on Liaison with LG Meeting held on 14th April 2008
(1) Feedback on ACTION POINTS
(2) Refreshing The Council's Sustainability Strategy
(3) (a) Councillor Denise Cobb's request for profile of TB&H
(b) Relaying info on grants and awards RE sustainability.
(4) Forthcoming events where Council's Sustainability Team
(and TB&H?) are likely to have stalls.
(5) AOB: production of meeting agendas
(1) Feedback on ACTION POINTS
(a) The request that the function of sustainability carries importance and is not sidelined within the Council's new Governance Arrangements.
(b) The request that TB&H is represented on the Council's new Sustainability Partnership, which is to replace the Sustainability Commission.
Members of the Liaison Group realise that the Hub has been preoccupied recently with its own direction and purpose, but were disappointed to learn that no letter (RE the two requests, submitted as a draft on 19th March 2008) has been formulated or sent.
We entrusted the Hub with the wording of the letter, having ascertained that there was no opposition to the outcomes that the requests seek to achieve. We should like to know that the Hub will be dealing with this soon, or to secure authority to deal with it directly, since TB&H risks ‘missing the boat’ (i.e. 2 good opportunities to influence.)
( c ) The request for the selection criteria which will be used in choosing experts (drawn from Brighton and Hove's residents) to serve on the proposed panel of experts to support the new cabinets within the Council.
The TB&H Liaison Group has received some preliminary feedback from Thurstan Crockett (Head of the Council’s Sustainability Team). Likely requirements for experts are that they (a) live in Brighton and Hove (b) work nationally and/or internationally in the field of sustainable development (c) have expertise / practical track record in at least one field not extensively covered by others on the panel (d) demonstrable capacity for strategic thinking (e) are willing to advise council Leadership for no financial gain (f) are prepared to attend up to 4 two-hour meetings per year and receive occasional email requests for advice. The Sustainability Team will let us know if & when these become fixed requirements. The ultimate set of criteria will be decided by the Sustainabilty Champion in the new cabinet (and/or the Leader of the Council).
The Liaison Group needs clarity from the Hub as to how they see representation on The Sustainability Partnership. Although there may be a suitable candidate for the proposed panel of experts (to support the new Council cabinets) participating within Transition Brighton and Hove, we have been advised that the chosen “experts” will represent themselves and not speak for any Group.
(d) Solar panels – difficulties in getting planning permission.
Note that the relaxation of planning regulations excludes Conservation Areas and listed buildings. There is obvious tension between sustainability and conservation & design in streets which are highly regarded for their historic value in a city visited partly for its history. It should be noted too that planning permission will still be required when proposals impact on neighbours, as will be the case unless residents live in the middle of nowhere.
The Liaison Group felt that planning restrictions on generating one’s own energy (retrospective note: also cited as an obstacle to micro-generation in Dr Jim Watson’s talk on “generating Energy within the Home”) should be the concern of Transition Brighton and Hove’s Energy Group, and we suggest that this issue should be an Agenda item for discussion at one of their meetings. We agreed to contact the Energy Group by email on this issue.
(2) Refreshing The Council's Sustainability Strategy –
It was confirmed that One Planet Living is still expected to perform this task. Reference was made to the homes that One Planet Living are constructing in the New England Quarter. While the new buildings undoubtedly incorporate several of the features promoted in The Green Developer’s Bible (e.g. locally sourced wood of durable quality), concern was expressed as to the density of the development and provision for greenspace i.e. what makes a sustainable community & environment extends beyond building materials.
The Group learned that Thurstan Crockett is writing a paper about One Planet Living for The Local Strategic Partnership (the LSP includes several interest groups within Brighton and Hove’s voluntary and business sectors as well as the Council). It was reiterated that meetings of the LSP were open to the public, and that participation by members of Transition Brighton and Hove could allow us to hear what other voices in our city are saying in relation to sustainability and climate change.
(3)(a) Profile of Transition Brighton and Hove and (b) Role of Liaison with LG Group RE Funding
It was confirmed that Chris Callard would be composing the text (for Thurstan Crockett) requested by Councillor Denise Cobb (likely to be involved in the new Sustainability Partnership) profiling Transition Brighton and Hove and its achievements to date. Thank you, Chris.
It was felt that info on grants and awards (sources of funding) relevant to sustainability should be fielded to the relevant Transition Brighton and Hove Interest Groups. It is not within the remit of the Liaison Group to make the actual funding applications. However, several grants are administered via the Council or with Council vetting (as will be the case with funds from Central Government made available under the 2007 Sustainable Communities Act). The Liaison Group is likely to get to hear of funding opportunities (e.g. funds for insulation and solar under The Council’s Warm Homes Scheme) in the course of its dialogue with members of the Council’s Sustainability Team, so it is within our remit to publicize some of these funding opportunities.
GRANTnet
sources of funding
regular updates
(4) Forthcoming events
Members of The Council’s Sustainability Team set up stall at several events where Transition Brighton and Hove is also likely to have its own stalls (e.g. The Eco Fair organised a few months ago by The Triangle Community Group).
Although the organisation of these events is not the Liaison Group’s direct concern, we should publicize opportunities for participants in all TB&H Groups to meet members of The Council’s Sustainability Team.
(a) Brighton and Hove City Council's Sustainability Commission (final meeting) Wednesday, 30 April 2008 at 5.00 PM
(b) ECO OPEN HOUSES: 28-29 June and 5-6 July 2008: people will be able to visit eco-houses in Brighton & Hove who will be opening their doors to the public. Eco Open Houses is a joint project between the Brighton Permaculture Trust, the Low Carbon Trust and Brighton & Hove City Council. http://www.ecoopenhouses.org/ Mita Patel’s colleague Francesca Iliffe is coordinating this.
(c) Green Wave Festival - Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July 2008, Brighton's first sustainable eco festival, held in Preston Park. (Contact Kat).
(d) Environmental Summer Fayre and farmers' market - Saturday 12th July 2008. 11am – 3pm, organised by The Dorothy Stringer Environmental Partnership, Stringer Way Lawns. The fayre promotes local and national organisations whose work has contributed towards a greater environmental awareness and would therefore like to offer you the opportunity to attend.
(5) AOB – Agendas and meetings
The question was posed as to how Agendas should be drawn up. The preferred option was for a draft to be circulated a few days before meetings, to be finalized and published once members of the Group had agreed on priority issues and added any missing items. It was requested that once Agendas were finalized, new items should not be discussed at meetings until ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
Open discussion day: the future of TBH – Sat 19 April
Transition Brighton & Hove: Crisis Gathering: The Werks Hove 10am – 4pm,19 April 2008. Notes by Natasha Thoday
Attendees:-
Ann Baldridge; Simon Brett; John Bristow; David Greenop; Kat Neeser; Jo Nean; Natasha Thoday; Stephen Watson; Maureen Winder; Chris Callard ; Louis Loizou; Doly Garcia
We sat in a circle on chairs with a flip chart with this list on it:-
What do we understand by Transition?
What is going well?
What could we be doing better?
How an we unleash our collective genius?
What excites us about transition?
Why are we involved with Transition B&H rather than other groups within the city?
What should we be focussing our energies on at the moment?
What is the best way to engage new people who volunteer help?
Step Zero: Did we form interest groups too early? Was it deliberate?
Each person briefly introduced themselves. Then the group decided to go round answering the first question above, which was rephrased:
Q: What do we understand by Transition? Core Message? What do we tell people what TT is?
Several people offered their pet technical phrases...
Bunch of ordinary people getting together to address problems.
The ‘shit is going to hit the fan’.
Avoid technical and clique language.
PO & CC will affect others in the UK.
Use story & analogy and examples from elsewhere e.g. in Mali a generator was built with local materials.
Talk about people’s pockets (i.e. their cash).
Assume some knowledge and build on that.
Come in at their level, and ask them about their knowledge.
PO & CC symptom of much deeper problem, their is currently a lack of resilience, and that only minor disturbances can upset the equilibrium.
Sustainable local community that must be in balance with nature.
We currently live in a highly vulnerable society.
Refer to media reports, e.g.. food riots, and retailers artificially manipulating local markets.
Technical definitions of TT & PO that are intrinsic to TT framework e.g. TT handbook.
Community emphasis and [that TT enables people to] relate better.
Aim to attract people like us.
Give a transition definition first.
We currently live a “sarcophagus [coffin] existence” alienated from the land.
Look at success stories.
What TT means personally and to our neighbourhood.
TT will make Brighton more sustainable.
A future not using fossil fuels due to PO mindful of big and small scales.
Definitions of TT depend on the knowledge level and sophistication of audiences.
Transition is such a good idea it almost doesn’t need PO and CC.
Tea Break, then the next question discussed was: what are TT B&H’s priorities?
Interest groups do targeted awareness raising.
Be mindful of designing in a group’s demise (e.g. in step 1).
How to focus in on steps 2 – 5 and how to ensure those groups design in their demise.
Do research towards EDAP via awareness raising, energising and engaging new people in the idea of the EDAP.
Do people on groups really understand TT concepts?
Is TT technology understandable, (e.g. what are the steps)?
How to engage reskilling enthusiasm about TT technology & techniques
Workshops about TT technology & techniques (interactive is good e.g. as delivered by Charley recently).
How to manage conflicts between paid and voluntary.
What is the impact of choice of vocabulary e.g. is it a gathering or a meeting?
Make gatherings / meetings interactive and entertaining.
Have to hold general meetings but must be shared.
Aim gatherings / meetings at newbies or oldies? Mentoring newbies.
At least 5 types of gatherings / meetings were identified: a) Hub; b) General meetings; c) Interest, d) Neighbourhood, and e) Project groups.
But why these types of gatherings / meetings?
Must have feedback to determine effectiveness of aims and outcomes of gatherings / meetings.
Concrete ideas needed about what we are doing.
Do we need a separate education and awareness group?
Should the hub should be separate from education and awareness group or should everybody be doing education and awareness?
Film screening events – get involvement from audience in the city, the city already has lots going on.
Need to target neighbourhood & community groups that already exist in city.
Putting on a film by Special Interest Group’s (SIG) is an easy thing to do.
Need to have responsibility for awareness raising.
Use general meeting for education – DVD.
How do we resolve issues and problems about individuals in the group?
First port of call: discuss with the individual concerned, not the whole group.
Everybody must learn about conflict resolution techniques..
Make a list of thing that need to be done.
To motivate interest groups have meetings of SIG coordinators and emails between SIG coordinators. Instigation by Hub of awareness training including vital DVD’s etc...
Do joint promotions and films with Brighton Climate Change group.
Need training on community work e.g. Working Together Project.
Use open space in general meetings, need facilitation training.
Clarification of purpose of general meetings.
Have more themed general meetings.
Have sharing sessions and /or project, hub, introductory, educational, etc... gatherings / meetings instead of general meetings.
Point of contacting other established TT’s to see what they do.
Themed gatherings / meetings start to look like Special Interest Group meetings.
Recognise the functions required and organise around.
Purpose of general meeting to keep people informed of what is going on. Should be okay for drop in new people to be given a 15 minutes intro talk before full session starts.
Separate the mechanics / admin functions from the fun stuff, i.e. well focussed.
Change name of general meeting to “All Network Meeting”.
Introductory awareness type of general meeting?
Communication meeting between parts of local network.
Strategy meeting. Events. Change name of HUB!
Separate meetings. General meeting – collective vision, open space celebrated on issues one question for the meeting.
Introductory sessions for new people e.g Charley’s work shop. Role groups.
Jo’s diagram. Consensus needed to go to general meeting.
Next general meeting. A rethink: “If you care about TT B&H come to this meeting”
Child care for children needed.
Action: how to make next general meeting / gathering inspiring, meeting of coordinators of SIG’s, introductory sessions, & Charley’s workshop. Group field trip to another TT eg open space in Lewes...
Practical proposals: Regular meeting at same venue, same day and venue each time, to make it simple for people to remember.
Film screening: The End of Suburbia – Fri 18 April
Brighton Climate Change's monthly film night are screening (with other short films) the classic peak oil film The End of Suburbia, Fri 18 April starting at 8pm at the Upstairs Lounge in The Caroline of Brunswick pub, 39 Ditchling Road, Brighton (near the Level: map). £3.50 suggested donation.
Short Films begin at 8.45pm – a selection of independent short films on a range of subjects.
OUR MAIN FEATURE at 9.45pm: ‘The End of Suburbia’ – Oil depletion and the collapse of the American dream
The End of Suburbia is an important documentary about modern dependence on cheap energy and the coming peak in world oil production. The film is a witty, entertaining and sometimes chilling introduction to the peak oil phenomenon and how it will affect us all in coming years.
"We're literally stuck up a cul-de-sac in a cement SUV without a fill-up" - James Howard Kunstler
After the films we'll have some DJs on the decks to take us into the wee hours..
Talks: ‘Why we must act ahead of peak oil production’ by Jeremy Leggett & 'Generating our own Energy' by Jim Watson – Thu 17 April
7pm for 7.30pm at Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton (£3/£2 conc). Tickets: Dome Box Office (01273 709709 / www.brightonticketshop.com at 29 New Road, Brighton, BN1 1UG), from TBH, or on the door (if not sold out).
The first in a series of transition talks. Jeremy Leggett is author of the books The Carbon War and Half Gone and executive chairman of solarcentury, the UK’s largest independent solar electric company. Jim Watson is Deputy Director of the Sussex Energy Group at SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research, Sussex University. Full title of this talk: Generating our own Energy: What are the Options?'. More info: talks*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk.
Minutes from Transport Group meeting - 16th April
Meeting held on 16 April 2008 at Delia Davis’ home, Kemp Town
Present Graham Towers
Neil Harding
Michael Petek
Doly Garcia
Celia Davis
Apology Stephen Young
1.0 Models
Curitiba – the meeting watched a film on this city in Brazil. There was a degree of pedestrianisation. The city had a complex bus service comprising colour coding, providing a range of speed, distance and accessibility. and running on dedicated road lanes with roadside stations. These are shared with emergency services. This was considered interesting. However there was also large scale provision for cars and other vehicles in multi-lane highways – something not to be emulated.
Freiburg – a press article on the German city (Observer 23/3/08) was discussed. The city was somewhat smaller than Brighton and was largely develop since WW2. Much of its ‘green’ credibility derived from the energy efficient housing developments. In transport terms there was a large scale network of cycle ways. There was also a car-free neighbourhood where cars were not allowed and could only be parked on the periphery at high cost
2.0 Action from previous meeting
North Street - Celia had completed and returned the questionnaire from the exhibition on behalf of the group. It appeared a further exhibition would be help of refined proposals.
Car Free Day – Celia was pursuing this but it was felt the Council was unlikely to be sympathetic. It was felt best to seek the co-operation of other groups such as bricycle.
Cycle maps = still to be obtained.
3.0 Correspondence
There had been an enquiry fir a student for information. Chris Callard had also asked co-ordinators for reports. Agreed Graham to prepare a progress report which could be updated on a rolling basis
4.0 Next meeting
Wednesday 14 May venue to be arranged
Notes from Waste & Recycling group meeting – Tue 15 April
Notes by Jessica Gwynne. For more info, contact waste*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk
1. As of now Mel has persuaded the Peace and Environment Centre to become a 'drop off' point for milk bottle (plastic screw) tops, which she collects for recycling...
2. In relation to the ongoing campaign against a major incineration plant being built at Newhaven, from 1 - 5 May there will be Direct Action training available at the Cowley Club - 52 Providence Place entrance at the back.
If you are interested in helping organisationally, please leave contact details at the Cowley Club for Peter.
3. Jo's Great Re - Skilling to take place at the Cowley Club on Saturday 10 May - the preparations continue apace - confirmed workshops include:
Recycled candlemaking; Doly's handwarmers; Cloth bags, baggies, cushions & make do and mend; Knitting, crochet, patchwork and weaving carrier bags out of plastic ones; papermaking; electrical repairs. The flyer will be out by the coming weekend.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO DO A WORKSHOP PLEASE LET US KNOW; ALSO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PROVIDING FOOD, WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
- This announcement was followed by a discussion on the viability of running some of the workshops over further consecutive weeks, and it was agreed that the best way forward would be to assess how they go on the 10th first!
4. Public Meeting at the Brighthelm Centre on June 19 on the subject of waste - speakers already confirmed - Peter Jones/Biffa and Professor Marie Harder/University of Brighton - It won't be just a talking heads event - there'll be stuff to involve the audience, local recycling providers etc
NEXT WaRTiG meeting will be at the George again on Tuesday 6th May.
Next Liaison with Local Gov Group Meeting: Monday 14th April 2008 at The George
Suggested items for The Agenda of our next meeting (The George, Trafalgar St, 7 pm on Monday 14th April 2008) are:
(1) Feedback if available on:
a) the request that the function of sustainability carries importance and is not sidelined within the Council's new Governance Arrangements.
b) the request that TB&H is represented on the Council's new Sustainability Partnership, which is to replace the Sustainability Commission.
c) the request for the selection criteria which will be used in choosing experts (drawn from Brighton and Hove's residents) to serve on the proposed panel of experts to support the new cabinets within the Council.
(2) Report (by those "in the know") on the progress of the new Governance arrangments and the plan to refresh The Council's Sustainability Strategy
(3) Discussion on
a) Simon's proposals:- look carefully at the principles behind transition- assess what we're doing well, and what we need to do differently- discuss our visions of the future and what TBH means to us, and
b) the steps (researched by Maureen) which Transition Brighton and Hove would need to complete before it is ready to bid for an Environmental Sustainability Grant.
Some of the points on Maureen's checklist are principally for the Hub, though most of the bullet points should concern of all Transition Groups:
-having TB&H's constitution agreed at a general meeting-getting a bank account properly set up
-deciding how the money will be managed-equalities issues, eg. access for disabled participants
-encouraging a wider constituency to join in, eg. young people under 18, the elderly, the unemployed, people from other countries, etc.
-deciding on any evaluation methods for assessing whether what we are doing is successful or not
-ensuring that what we say on the website matches what we say in the bid, and we will need to show we can deliver
_________________
New Group members are welcome.
Contact email address: localgovliaisonATtransitionbrightonandhove.org.uk
From Planet to Plate: Think Global, Eat Local – Sat 12 April
Come to learn more and to share your knowledge about the issues effecting the food we eat. This day-long event is a part of Transition Brighton & Hove's free school programme. It will be a day of talks, participatory workshops, a recipe swapping session, seed planting demonstrations, a screening of the Future of Food, informational stalls, fun activities for children, and a home-made, local, organic and vegan lunch. Tea and cake served all day. Entry free, donations welcome. For more information please email food*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk.
Notes from TBH general meeting – Wed 9 April
Notes by Stephen Watson
The purpose of the meeting was to try to work out how to keep people more engaged with what is going on in TBH.
How did you hear about this meeting tonight?
Web site: 1 + 1/2 + 1/2
Word of mouth: 1 + 1/2
Hub: 7
Green Party Meeting: 1 + 1/2
Mailing list: 1
(The 1/2 was people who heard about it one way and check it via another)
Why did you come to this meeting tonight?
Very involved
A sense of involvement with it
I Care about it
A sense of responsibility
Importance of the process
Nurturing the Transition seedling
Community
Responsibility to community
To make a difference to our future
Worked in community development for years. Wanted to find out more, so as to be more useful helping Ann on Saturday. Out of work at the moment, so has some free time. has ideas about ways of changing environment. Only way we can change if we stop consuming so much.
Involved last year in a group trying to setup an eco-village. Group ended.
Get back involved.
Knew about Transition Towns from Permaculture and prompted me to get involved.
Don't just think about it - do it!
Aware that things are beginning to get urgent now - go on paying lip service rather than action for this.
Needs to come from grassroots - government has no real commitment.
To keep up with what's going on
Good movement
Challenges of the coming meltdown
Extremely worried about the coming 'meltdown'
Don't think that groups / lobbyists / government is up to the challenge
Overarching group rather than a single issue
All other work part of TT anyway
Determined to come to every meeting since the first one - I'm a stubborn person
Was going to come to the meeting anyway - but no expectations
Addicted to Transition meetings
Nothing on TV
Connection with FairTrade
To get back into the loop and the bigger group instead of just attending small interest groups
Interested in starting up a young people's group
Keep in touch with what everybody's doing
To see new faces: more energy coming into the group
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How can we contact various people in Brighton?
Local papers
Radio (Reverb)
Flyers at (Community) Libraries
Discussions at Community and Forum Groups
Activist and Community Groups
Coffee meetings
Community Newsletters
Stickers
Performance
Viral marketing
Stalls
Speakers
Graffiti
Political engagement
Schools
Publicity Stunts
Multimedia pack
Film making
DVD Club
Film screenings
Working with other Activist Groups
1) Join B&H Community or Voluntary Sector Forum
a) Update on newsletter
b) Work with them on Climate Change & Peak Oil
2) Use Brighton Activist Network website - Sign In. Provide a diary of meeting dates
3) Stalls at events:
Interfaith Group
World Fair Trade Day
Wave event in Preston Park
Events such as Gay Pride
Hove Farmers' market
4) Facilitating TB&H Interest Groups seeking mutual interest & ??? with other local groups active in their areas
5) Events with other local groups i.e.
Speakers
WDM Transition Town Talk
Send invites to similar people & organisations
We support their events
7) Use vision/EDAP process to talk & engage with people and organisations. Get their contributions - set questions
Discussions at Community Groups and Forums (Outreach)
Brighton Youth Service ( web site) - every Estate has a centre
Detached
Centre-based
Drop-in
Care Centres
Day Centres - Millview hospital may have list
Elderly Homes
Supported Housing
Community Base
High Rise Action Group
Islamic and other ethnic groups
EB4U BME officers
Probation Service
Community Centres (lunch clubs, other courses, etc.)
Being sensitive to other cultures (esp. norms) and being proactive - go into other people's "realm"
Flyer Tesco + ASDA
National Trust
RSPB - more members than any political party!
Volunteer Bureau on Western Road
Film Showings
What?
Power of Community
Crude
Message in the Waves
An Inconvenient Truth
*Crude Awakening*
What a Way To Go (certainly not for everyone - maybe home showings?)
Story of Stuff
End of Suburbia
Where?
Brighton Unemployed Centre Family Centre
Duke of York's
Alicats
The Cowley Club
Friends Meeting House
'Village' halls / Community Centres
Who?
Job descriptions?
Roles to attract & keep new members before you lose them
Refreshments (Vegan) - vegan ice cream. (for Funding)
How?
A film screening group within TB&H
Schools and Youth Groups
Hook up with Project Genie
Council - Eco schools - nature, recycling
Local food - after school cookery club
Half day conference - ???? energy descent plan conference for kids
Develop workshops - performance, hands-n workshops. Storytelling.
Youth Groups - Woodingdean / Whitehawk
Cowley Club, Scouts, Woodcraft Folk, Guides, YMCA
Impact Initiatives Youth Group, Council run youth services
Youth Clubs
Kids Clubs
Home education kids
Workshop / Storytelling
TT youth group
Figure out key people with TT
Find out exactly what other groups are doing and get help
Developing workshops / curriculums
Trial with youth groups
Funding - lots of it available for kids / youth stuff
Launch TBH 'Youth' Group
Sign up here:
Jo Nean
Beth Tilson
Jon Seagrave (may co-ordinate)
Vicky Wakefield-Jarret
Sarah Flyn
Who are some of the groups we can we contact in Brighton?
Office workers
Homeless
Unemployed & working class
Commuters
Middle classes
Supermarket workers
Rich people
Elderly
Teachers
Anarchists
Food growers
Clubbers
Techie people
Hospital users / workers
Students
Alternative Therapists
Faith groups
Children
Local businesses
Tourism workers
Residents' groups
(Ex-) Offenders
Gay community and other 'Communities of Interest'
Parents
Vulnerable Groups - elderly, long-term care, disabilities
Aristocracy
Animals!
Vulnerable Groups
Includes: disabled / elderly / long-term care / offenders / homeless
Be inclusive
How are they involved? What can they offer?**
Opportunity for input - their experiences, their dreams
We are moving to a new future; how would this affect these groups?
Impacts of energy & food scarcity
Rising costs of living
What do we plan for?
How to provide resilience & security for these groups?
Do we need new ways of providing care & housing and keeping people involved in the community - creating a sense of community.
** Ask for their involvement in skill transfer or exchange. The art of living in a different time is something to share.
Skill swaps with the elderly (one on one sessions, days of skill swapping as an event)
Tomorrow's home - reflecting on the 1940s e.g. home but future looking
Unemployed and Working Class
Where?
Brighton Unemployed Family Centre
Unemployed Workers Centre
Community Centres (Whitehawk, The Bridge, Bristol Estate)
Getting people involved in events that are already going. Increase involvement in allotment, cookery classes, Great reskilling etc.
Energy generation
1st Event: raising awareness about PO & CC
Film: The Story of Stuff, Crude, The Power of Community
Suburbanite
Money / Capitalist
'Chinks in a cosy existence'
morsbags given out
Watch 'The End of Suburbia' - ad in bag
Children's performance about Peak Oil / CC. A lovely sustainable future outside supermarket / in a park
How to connect with commuters
Trains
Written info / flyers at train station. Free newspapers; add into metro / Argus Lite
Flyers at stations - 7am
Flyer typical commuter houses?
Flyer with a bisucit ( & a smile) - made by the Food Group
Content:
Tell commuters about working from home - info about how you can work from home - government info on this
Flexible working laws (women especially)
Cars
School runs
Support no car day - dangerous to cross the road during a school run
Work with schools - want to reduce school runs for environmental reasons
Make walking to schools safer
Work with schools to make the area around schools safer
No car day once a week as a target. Create a 'critical mass' & pattern of behaviour
Council - Zebra crossings, pavements, "Brighton not built for cars"
Bus Drivers
Educate them to be safer and more aware
Promote more cycle safety
Promote bike use - subsidise bike schemes. Estate Agents!
Bio fuels address power that a car holds - how do you make bio fuel
Bikes as a status symbol
Selling green as fashionable - cloth bags are a good example of this
Notes from Roundhill/Triangle neighbourhood group meeting – Tue 8 April
Notes by Jo Nean
Minutes from 2nd meeting - 08/04/08 7:30pm Park Crescent
Present:
Jo Nean, Mary-Lou Banfield, John Roland, Natalie Santana, Terry Spencer, Ted Power, Jessica Langton, Maureen Winder, Richard Howard, Graham and Abraham (didn't catch last names, sorry!)
Four people more than last time and a more even ratio of Triangle (5) to Roundhillers (6). The pub was perhaps not a great choice for this meeting as although only a Tuesday it was very busy and hard to hear one another but we managed to get through a lot anyway. The Bugle has been proposed for the next one which will be on Tuesday 29th April from 7:30-9pm.
Issues discussed:
TRAT Google Group
Jo has set up a Transition Roundhill and Triangle Google Group to make communcations between meetings easier for this group. Link to the group is: http://groups.google.com/group/transitionroundhillandtriangle
Community Centre proposal
There has been talk in the Roundhill Society about the possibility of fundraising for money to help start up a community space. This was spurred by Rob's suggestion that 350 people with £1,000 each could buy The Victoria and use it as a community pub. It has been noted that The Vic is up for auction next week and so the amount of energy, commitment and money necessary for such a project would certainly not be ready in time. However, if we begin looking at fundraising opportunities now then we may be ready for the next time such an opportunity arises. Many ideas were discussed as to what such a space could be used for - social space, sustainability issues, community meetings, yoga classes, kids clubs... so many possibilities! This is obviously something that will need a lot of thought and discussion and the wider community will also want to be involved and to have a say in what happens.
* Maureen, Jess and some members of Roundhill Society committee to research funding opportunities that could tie into this. Will feedback via google group or at next meeting.
* The wider Roundhill and Triangle communities will need to be consulted on this matter. Roundhill Society and Triangle Group to discuss means of doing this along with TRAT.
Greening the Round Triangle
This was an idea first suggested at the initial meeting - visually greening up the Roundhill and Triangle areas with hanging baskets, window boxes and front garden growing. The Triangle Group have just put in a funding application for just this kind of project, 'Greening the Triangle' and are awaiting a reply. The next round of applications will be in June/July so Roundhill could use Triangle bid as a template. Jo also talked about Food Up Front - an urban food growing scheme in London with strong links to the Transition Movement.
* Roundhill residents and/or committee to look over Triangle funding bid.
* Jo to contact Food Up Front about coming to give a talk to us about what they are doing.
Composting
In regard to the previously suggested community composting scheme, Jo has proposed beginning simply by matching up a list of people who have compost with people who would like it. The list was begun almost immediately right there in the pub and it was a pleasant surprise to see that so far there are more people wanting it than have it. There also seems to be some demand for a composting class. This would help those who would like to use it in their gardens to achieve the right consistency and would also help make sure that people know what to put in - no meat or dairy for example.
* Jo to organise composting workshop as part of the community reskilling/skill-share events she is already planning.
* Composting have/want list to be continued, perhaps in residents groups first. To be spread out into wider community perhaps after composting class to ensure health and safety.
Questionnaire
Maureen proposed compiling a questionnaire to find out views of Roundhill and Triangle residents on a variety of issues, from sustainability to the proposed community centre. There was some uncertainty as to what questions should go into the questionnaire. It was felt it should be kept short so as not to put people off filling it in. Jess wondered if we might in fact need two questionnaires at seperate times - one to find out views on the community centre and another for sustainaility issues.
* Everybody to compile draft questionnaire questions to be discussed on the google group and at next meeting.
Council consultation on their Waste Plan – Mon 7 April
The council are carrying out a public consultation on their Waste and Minerals Development Framework at the Jubilee Library Conference Rooms, between 6 and 8pm on Mon 7 April. If you are interested in the future of waste in Brighton, please go along and make your views known. More info here.
Energy Group minutes for Tuesday 1st April
Atendees were Andrew, Doly, Graham, Laura and Michael
Apologies from Martin and Matthew
Action points:
Doly to talk with Maureen and others about the possibility of getting a grant for a metering project, using standard plug-in meters and a loaning method similar to a library to reach as many homes as possible.
Doly to talk with Jo and others about an event in the Brighton Unemployed Centre or a similar venue to tell tenants about the energy-saving government schemes that they can apply for, and how to inform their landlords about the schemes that need collaboration from the landlord.
Doly to research open eco houses during the Brighton Festival and provide them with leaflets and information so they spread the word on Transition Brighton and Hove.
Laura and Michael to research the feasability of a very small-scale company for the final assembly of solar panels, Laura from the technical point of view and Michael from the economic point of view.
Next Business & Economics Group meet: Thurs 3 April, 7.15 - 9.30pm
@ Brighton Media Centre, 68 Middle St, Suite 4 (opposite The Hop Poles pub)
...Followed by a catch up at the pub. We're moving on to fleshing out ideas for projects. What do you think this city, the business community and the economy most need? What is the most effective use of our time?
See forum for notes from previous meetings and discussions, to suggest agenda items or generally throw ideas about - clickhere
All welcome, as are suggestions or comments - please add to our page on the forum or email business*AT*transitionbrightonandhove*DOT*org*DOT*uk / 07891 571739
Please bring a mug...
...spread the word 
Business & Climate Change Event, 2nd April, London
Organised by Resurgence Magazine & FOE (not Transition event), feat Tony Juniper, Jonathon Porritt etc.
Someone asked me to post this, so I did...
Date: April 2nd
Venue: Cecil Sharpe House, 2 Regents Park Road, Camden, London NW1 7AY
Organisation holding event: Resurgence / FOE
Businesses and Climate Change:
'How corporations and businesses should adapt to the need for climate
stability.'
Tessa Tennant, co-founder of the UK Social Investment Forum; Tony Juniper,
director of Friends of the Earth; Jonathon Porritt, director of Forum for
the Future; and Nick Robins, Head of Climate Change Centre of Excellence,
HSBC. .
Time: 6.30pm
Cost: £15
For further information contact: Peter Lang, Resurgence Events Director
Tel: 020 8809 2391
Email: peterlang*AT*resurgence*DOT*org
MG