Katy Pascoe

DCA – VOICE Project

Paul Macintosh

DA21 - 3S S&E Forum rep on DSP Accessibility Theme Group

Richard Toft

Bridport Renewable Energy Group - 3S S&E Forum rep on DSP Economy Theme Group

Jyoti Fernandes

Chapter 7 - 3S S&E Forum rep on DSP Affordable Housing Theme Group

Mike Jones

DA21 – 3S S & E Forum rep on DSP Environment Theme Group

Amanda Brown

DA21

Lesley Kerley

DEED

Michael Evans

Dorset Cyclists’ Network

Rebecca Laughton

Dorset Low Impact Policy Group

David Thompson

Dorset Youth Association

Jacqui Wragg

Sturquest Management Group

Linda Screen

Transition Town Dorchester

Emma Walker

UK Youth

Jim Hart

Volunteer Centre Dorset

Andrew Barker

Dorset Energy Group

Jon Orrell

Weymouth & Portland Transition Towns

Kate Hall

DCC

Peter Moore

DCC

Mark Brownbridge

North Dorset DC

Trevor Muddimer

DA21 – 3S S&E Rep on East Dorset Community Partnership Environment Group

ACTION

1. Welcome & Introduction

Meeting opened at 11.15. Apologies were received.

2. Outline and background to the S & E Forum

Paul McIntosh gave an outline of the events to date. The Forum originated with Dorset Agenda 21 having reps across the geographical Districts. In 1996 a report was released looking at how we can come together as sustainability organisations to influence change by

·        Creating and maintaining online resource.

·        Investing in an identity for the Sector through networking.

·        Co-ordinating a Voice for the Sector.

As a result of this, the 3^rd Sector S & E Forum was created and reps were elected to the following theme groups:

·        Affordable housing

·        Economy

·        Environment

This meeting was called

1.    To bring the reps’ work to the attention of the Forum

2.    To identify key messages & policies for reps to take to the DSP.

3.    To assess the effectiveness of the Forum’s current communications, e.g.  Website; E-bulletin; DA21 Newsletter.

It was agreed that “AWARENESS OF THE 3S S&E FORUM” is an issue, so need to promote and use it.

3. Presentation from Representatives

3.1. Richard Toft – Economy

Issue 1: What are the views & issues for Forum members?

There are 70-80 organisations in the Forum  with great diversity. There hasn’t really been effective communication so have gone for the top issue – SUSTAINABILITY.

Issue 2: Language.

Sustainability in economic development means economic growth!!! – which RT argues is not sustainable for ever. Gloomy economy is an opportunity for 3^rd Sector to thrive.

Opportunities ahead include:

1.      Zero carbon homes by 2016 (knowledge/skills technology)

2.      Reclamation programme (energy reduction). Has 3^rd Sector got its share of this?

3.      Wood Fuel Strategy (people pushing wood & wood products not pushing technology that uses wood fuel)

4.      Feed-in tariffs for renewable energy. (Feed-in tariffs work by offering fixed, premium rates for electricity fed-in to the grid by small scale solar energy producers)

There is a new awareness creeping in which will be further developed by the multi-area agreements.

The question is how to engage? It has been problematic to be effective. Reports were put on the website but there was no feeling that it was being read. The newsletter is very good. As for Networking events – let’s see!

3.2. Jyoti Fernandes -  Affordable Housing

Learning jargon for the first year as 3S S&E rep – so kept quiet. Now starting to see where S&E issues fit.

The DSP face pressures from Government to provide more housing. Limited by AONB and environment.

There are not many environmentalists on the board but officers seem very environmentally aware. Impressed!

Reward Money – Groups were asked to think of projects – funding gap around rural projects – so presented ideas. A copy of the report is on the website.

It’s hard getting info from the internet, as being a farmer don’t spend a lot of spare time using it.

Network on ground a lot – conferences, transition town meetings, etc.

Encourage forum members to contact re issues etc.

3.3. Mike Jones – Environment

Involved with the Forum since the beginning, when represented DA21.

The membership of the DSP theme group is mostly statutory body professionals: DCC, AONB, GOSW, and Environment Agency. Quite “high-powered” group, mostly managers, so difficult to feed in 2 hours every few months.

The LAA has its own action plan which MJ finds difficult to relate to.

The West Dorset Partnership is less high powered with more voluntary sector in it, and a much wider agenda; i.e. when you get to District level, environment & sustainability becomes looser, and also action plans and action groups are created.

Environment issues are driven by government policies and funding streams.

Recognised that local govt. partners often have a lot of discussions/decisions that are made outside of partnership meetings. Can understand need for this but felt it leaves the S&E Forum with little chance to participate.

Didn’t feel 3S S&E Forum robust enough at the moment to be given tasks or commissioned by the Theme Group.

MJ expressed concern that not at present networking with other Forum members, which needs to be done so can continue to influence theme group agendas. Both at County and district level there is no barrier to adding things onto agenda, but needs stronger mechanism for reps to do this on behalf of member organisations.

MJ emphasised need for a functioning hub e.g. DA21 given power to organise arguments or regular network meetings.

Dave Thompson, 3S 0-19 Forum rep on Children and Young Peoples Partnership Board, agreed with the concerns raised, especially: Are we representative?

Responded by arguing that all reps can do is tell people

1.      Who we are

2.      Where we are

3.      How to contact us.

Emphasised need for strong, well resourced communication mechanisms. DYA wrote bid for training & capacity building post – needed communications network to work, which 0-19 Forum uses.

4. Policy and issues for reps to raise and Communications

LS – Do we want to be driver for change or do we need mechanism for bringing agendas together to take up?

Need bottom up approach – with support

The links between high carbon & health means a need for discussions across themes. In order to make an impact, we need to break down the barriers between themes. In health we want to make a difference.

RT – Carbon footprint – production basis cut – consumption basis increased, as outlined in the Tanner lecture by Dieter Helm http://tiny.cc/zWJz4

Renewable energy leads to economic growth. We need to influence strategy/policy. It’s not about starting from scratch. There are positives around behaviour changes which communities can influence. There have to be mechanisms for renewable energy.

Points from Discussion on Policy and Issues for Reps to Raise.

·        Peak Oil.

·        Cross cutting issues.

·        Carbon footprint reality.

·        Need for bottom – up mechanisms for choosing renewable energy.

·        Where do county councillors fit within DSP, should they be more involved?

·        Get environment and sustainability messages out across communities.

·        Push need for a low impact policy (similar to Pembrokeshire.)

·        Rural issues – Need for more farmers – need to influence planning systems at district level to encourage more people into farming.  (Take this message to statutory partners.)

·        Education – Key – Pressure for government to deliver on this – need to identify and champion those 3^rd sector orgs delivering this on limited resources e.g. DEED.

·        Need for funding for delivery of services.

·        Transport – promote and raise awareness of national cycling strategy and local cycling networks.

·        Planners – encourage partners to include cycling and walking provision in local design (storage, routes, raise awareness with employers etc.)

·        Link work with regional and national frameworks.

·        Identify where central govt. fits in.

·        Develop communication methods.

·        Promote the forum and work of its members.

·        Attract funding for DA21 to facilitate / promote forum.

·        Promote ‘sustainability’ within business.

KP to raise this concern with H & WB 3^rd Sec Reps

KP to add link to website

5. Representation vacancies and gaps

Paul is to organise an election process with nominations for the environment theme group. Elections will then be held.

6. Any Other Business

Peter Moore thanked the reps for their involvement and asked that the Forum continue to challenge the definition of sustainability.

Peter Moore and Sam Fox-Adams encouraged Forum to look at “Sustainable Community Strategy for Dorset” –and comment on what we’d change to make it work along the same agenda as us.

The Forum agreed it would like to meet regularly. They were encouraged to use the website. The newsletter received very positive feedback.

PM & KP to collect comments on strategy and circulate to reps and Peter Moore

7. Date of Next Meeting

11^th November 2009