Notes, 14 March

Ian Davey (Facilitator), Bike for Life/West Hove Cycling

Dan Salisbury (Scribe), CVSF

Tony Green, B&H Cycle Touring Club

Mareika Engels, BPEC (Brighton Peace & Environment Centre)

Becky Reynolds, Bricycles

Michael Creedy, BPEC (Brighton Peace & Environment Centre)

Ninka Willcock, Brighton Society

Alison Walters, Magpie Environmental Trust

Peter Crowhurst, North Laine Community Association

Chris Todd, B&H Friends of the Earth

Amelia Mills, Triangle Community Group

Maureen Winder, Triangle Community Group

Emma Gaskin, CVSF Trustee

Rob Stephenson, Round Hill Society

The original intention for the Environment Network was for a structured place to disseminate information.

The group felt that the email network is difficult to follow and that the website forum is a more useful tool. IT was also noted that the CVSF is under-represented by environmental groups and that if the network can encourage more of these groups to become Forum members, and consequently network members the sharing of information via the website would also increase.
The network indicated that they would like to meet regularly at CVSF quarterly conferences.

The network asked those attending what their groups what activities and issues their groups are involved in on the issue of climate change.

The Round Hill Society is trying to ascertain what the personal and economic benefits of installing solar panels are for households.
The group recognised that there has been a lot of interest generated on the issue of climate change since the last anti-climate change march.
When the smoking ban comes into force many bars and pubs are likely to purchase patio heaters. It was recognised that these are inefficient and polluting.
The North Laine Community Association (NLCA) are largely engaged with a campaign for 20 m.p.h. signs to be put up in the neighbourhood.
Brighton Peace & Environment Centre are proposing a series of workshops aimed at young people with the intention of raising their awareness of climate change. The intention is not just to increase the volume of information they receive but to actually change behaviour.
Friends of the Earth are encouraging the public to write to their MP's about the climate change bill.
Friends of the Earth are also trying to encourage Local Government to deal more responsibly with the issue of waste.
The group noted that there is a general need for local environmental groups/the network to deal more urgently with how targets will be achieved and to improve monitoring in support of this.

The network discussed Brighton & Hove City Councils review of their Waste Strategy Policy.

Friends of the Earth are part of the consultation group for the Waste Strategy Policy Review.
It has been proposed that domestic food waste will be collected as part of a Council composting service. However, as part of the changes in waste policy, it will have travel further negating some of the environmental benefits of this service. The contract negotiated between the Council and waste contractors will last 25 years and could hamper any major changes in waste strategy.
A Waste Development Plan is currently being developed. This mainly concerns where sites dealing with waste will be located.
Any views network members or anyone else wishes to convey to statutory bodies can be fed through the environment representatives.

Consultation on the Air Quality Action Plan ends on the 7th May 2007. Any comments on the proposals should be received by this date.

The Brighton & Hove City Councils Consultation feeds directly into the Compact between the Council and the Community and Voluntary Sector.

For further information on this subject or to feed your views into the process talk to Dialogue 50/50 reps.

Network members should continue to look at the on-line discussion forum to keep information between groups flowing.

To increase the networks influence it would be good to encourage environmental and residents groups to become CVSF members and consequently to join the Environmental Network.
It was hoped that the Network could meet at the next CVSF quarterly conference on the 20th June (who would chair would be discussed by email).
There should be continued dialogue between the Environmental Representatives and network members.
The next issue of the CVSF's Dialogue magazine will contain a summary of this meeting.

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