Meeting Minutes - November 2014
Date and time: 27/11/2014, 7-9pm
Location: Ideas Hub, 1-4 Market Square, CM1 1XF
Attendees: Karen Fulcher, Stuart Connor, Peter Foreman, Pam Swaby, Edith Miller, Leonie Ramondt, Barrie Allsop, Rob Worley, Simon Mouncey
1. High Chelmer Tree Preservation
Edith found the council tree policy and city centre development plans on-line. The plans show that many trees should be planted but Simon pointed out that the policy allows for any trees to be felled in the name of development and that plans for more trees are in no way binding. It’ll be up to the community to apply pressure and ensure that planting is followed-through.
Pam stated that Chelmsford Civic Society are also discussing tree preservation policy.
2. Purely Essex Food Market
The food market was highly successful, attracting over 1,000 visitors this year. TC members and vendors would like to increase the frequency of these events, but recognise that we will need to spread the organisational workload and avoid clashes with other regularly scheduled markets.
3. Ideas Festival
The festival is gathering momentum. This year’s visitor count doubled over last year to around 5,000. Maintaining this rate of growth next year will likely require additional help with organisation.
Feedback suggested that brochure distribution could have been more widespread. This activity that could be delegated to a small team of volunteers requiring a fairly small time commitment from each of them.
4. Ideas Hub
The Hub has received notice to vacate its premises in High Chelmer by 1st January. Alternative locations are being considered and a meeting is being convened on Saturday 29th November to establish a detailed plan of action.
5. Community Energy
Barrie has now contacted thirty local schools to established their interest in hosting community-owned and financed solar power, none of which have expressed an interest!
Rob has been working through financial models for the scheme and believes that the case for investing in these schemes at current FIT rates is quite weak unless the community has a very direct financial relationship with the host site, in which case it’s easy to consider offsetting energy costs that will rise over time. A community centre or hub might be a more realistic target.
6. Allotment
The allotment will remain dormant until next year.
7. Next Meeting
We will reconvene on Thursday 29th of January 2015. Venue to be confirmed.
Location: Ideas Hub, 1-4 Market Square, CM1 1XF
Attendees: Karen Fulcher, Stuart Connor, Peter Foreman, Pam Swaby, Edith Miller, Leonie Ramondt, Barrie Allsop, Rob Worley, Simon Mouncey
1. High Chelmer Tree Preservation
Edith found the council tree policy and city centre development plans on-line. The plans show that many trees should be planted but Simon pointed out that the policy allows for any trees to be felled in the name of development and that plans for more trees are in no way binding. It’ll be up to the community to apply pressure and ensure that planting is followed-through.
Pam stated that Chelmsford Civic Society are also discussing tree preservation policy.
- Action: Edith to distribute links regarding local plans and policies to the group.
- Action: Simon to distribute links regarding plans that show trees being removed from the shopping areas and parks.
2. Purely Essex Food Market
The food market was highly successful, attracting over 1,000 visitors this year. TC members and vendors would like to increase the frequency of these events, but recognise that we will need to spread the organisational workload and avoid clashes with other regularly scheduled markets.
- Action: Rob to research schedules of clashing farmers markets.
- Action: Pam to provide details of trade associations responsible for organising other markets.
- Action: Rob to publish the on-line map/directory of producers before Christmas.
3. Ideas Festival
The festival is gathering momentum. This year’s visitor count doubled over last year to around 5,000. Maintaining this rate of growth next year will likely require additional help with organisation.
Feedback suggested that brochure distribution could have been more widespread. This activity that could be delegated to a small team of volunteers requiring a fairly small time commitment from each of them.
4. Ideas Hub
The Hub has received notice to vacate its premises in High Chelmer by 1st January. Alternative locations are being considered and a meeting is being convened on Saturday 29th November to establish a detailed plan of action.
- Action: Pam to pursue charity status with local expert.
- Action: Karen and Simon to work with Leonie on publicity.
- Action: All interested parties to attend the meeting on Saturday.
5. Community Energy
Barrie has now contacted thirty local schools to established their interest in hosting community-owned and financed solar power, none of which have expressed an interest!
Rob has been working through financial models for the scheme and believes that the case for investing in these schemes at current FIT rates is quite weak unless the community has a very direct financial relationship with the host site, in which case it’s easy to consider offsetting energy costs that will rise over time. A community centre or hub might be a more realistic target.
- Action: Rob to take look at Moulsham Lodge Community Centre.
6. Allotment
The allotment will remain dormant until next year.
7. Next Meeting
We will reconvene on Thursday 29th of January 2015. Venue to be confirmed.