Notes of Board Meetings
14 April 2010: A discussion on the
presentations at the February meeting centred on the barriers to the
development of renewables, such as planning and licensing requirements,
species protection and requirements that authorised contractors be used.
Some felt that these constraints deterred many vital small developments,
but others felt that the negotiating process in an area where gaps in
scientific knowledge invoked the precautionary principle worked well if
time-consuming. More guidance/encouragement is needed, and the Local
Service Board is starting a project that will establish conflict facts
and, if necessary, take these to WAG. The EPB Action Plan will be
amended to provide advice etc that will supplement the forthcoming Local
Development Plan.
Most of the remainder of the meeting
reviewed the Board's Action Plan; a revised version will be available on
line in due course. Among the matters arising were:
- The need for the Waste Forum to consider
business waste.
- A Transport Forum should be held in the
autumn of 2010.
- The need to strengthen the training
content of the plan and to make better connections with the Health and
Wellbeing Partnership.
17 February 2010: This meeting was
focused on the National Park's Green Valleys Project and the work of
Transition Chepstow and Transition Monmouth.
- Grenville Ham's presentation on the
grant-winning
Green Valleys Project described how it was a community-owned project
aiming to be self-financing within three years. At present it is
focusing on low risk, high return projects, mainly small hydro-energy
projects on mountain streams. The new feed-in tariff scheme
unfortunately requires accredited installations, where many locations
require tailor-made solutions. Other project work includes
allotments, a biodiesel club, community woodlands, and work in the
uplands to prevent carbon-releasing erosion.
- Marcus Perrin described Chepstow's aim
of making the town the most insulated in Britain and initiatives such as
fruit and nut tree planting, promoting fabric bags and inputting to the
Local Development Plan. They had unfortunately failed in the
British Gas Green Streets competition and, with MCC, the Low Carbon
Communities Challenge, but still hoped to make progress in some of the
areas submitted.
- Simon Brown spoke for Monmouth, which
had similar projects to Chepstow. A community orchard is being
planted and they have worked on carbon calculation, not very
successfully, with schools; now to focus on businesses and other
organisations. Also unsuccessful with grant bids.
- Mary Kelly described the work of
Abergavenny Climate Action which has only just been formally launched.
- Discussion centred on the difficulties
of achieving behaviour change; social marketing has a lot to
offer. A 'sharing event' was suggested to help groups work
together. Also need to emphasise the Peak Oil dimension when
Climate Change is having a bad press.
- The 10:10 campaign work of the the Local
Service Board, focusing on partners' awareness and energy use in
buildings, the County Council, implementing their 2008 strategy,
Environment Agency Wales and CCW (travel reduction), were also reported.
Gwent Wildlife Trust has achieved Green Dragon Level 2 but have
difficulty in going further.
- George Ashworth of MCC is to be vice
chair of the Board.
13 October 2009: Unfortunately
illness prevented a talk on the Brecon Beacons National Park Green Valleys
Project. However, it was agreed that the next meeting should focus
on energy matters including this project and local Transition Town
projects. Other matters included:
- Sue Mabberley of CCW was elected chair
for a further two years; consideration will be given to the
election of a vice chair.
- MCC has registered interest in the Low
Carbon Communities Fund and meetings will be held to assemble a bid on
behalf of one or more communities in the county.
- The
Usk to Wye
Campaign ecological connectivity partnership is to make a bid to the
Heritage Lottery Fund which could lead to the appointment of a
development officer.
- The
Waste Forum in July and continuing
controversy; Cllr Eric Saxon clarified the position of MCC.
- Schools have been offered sessions on
energy use and Owl energy monitors; MCC leisure centres are now
the subject of energy audits, second only to schools as energy users.
- On a trial basis all MCC Cabinet reports
will include a section on sustainability implications, based on a
checklist similar to that trialled by the Board in recent years.
- Several sources of advice on the
biodiversity impact of renewable energy schemes, and research
commissioned by the Bat Conservation Trust.
- The success of the Climate Change and
Green Energy Area at the Usk Show.
-
Advice for Communities First groups undertaking environmental
projects that may be useful more widely.
8 July 2009: The main matters
considered were:
- Progress on the Local Development Plan.
EPB members welcomed the emphasis on sustainability and commended the
consultation process to others consulting the public, had reservations
about the ease of using the MCC web site, considered the 'candidate
sites' system confusing for the public, and welcomed an energy study to
be carried out in the autumn.
- The work of the Local Service Board on
climate change and the possibility of a joint LSB/EPB event on zero/low
carbon living.
- Updating on Action Plan projects
including the Usk to Wye landscape project which is now being
formalised, the Waste Forum planned for 9 July and related issues, MCC's
adoption of a Carbon Management Plan which aims to reduce carbon
emissions by 25% 2007-2012, and the Climate Change and Green Energy area
at Usk Show on 12 September.
29 April 2009: Subject to some
alterations, the Board's Environmental Objectives and Action Plan 2009/10
was agreed and will shortly be available here. Other matters
considered were:
- Progress on the
Usk to Wye
landscape campaign following an EPB-supported conference in March.
- The need for a Waste Forum to respond to
today's launch of WAG consultation on a waste strategy for Wales.
- Measures to communicate green
information to schools.
- Progress on energy efficiency and the
case for a county Forum of Transition groups.
- Delays in progress on the Regional
Transport Plan, pending consultation on a WAG national plan this summer.
Four Monmouthshire Safe Routes schemes have WAG approval.
- Transfer of the EPB's Green Energy Area
from Monmouth Show to Usk Show.
- The recent Local Service Board Climate
Change conference and its outcomes, possibly including a Local Delivery
Agreement project.
10 December 2008: Much of the
meeting was devoted to discussion of the need for a concise environmental
policy statement or non-statutory strategy for the county, and an action
plan in accordance with the Community Strategy. Initially a review
of relevant lower-order statutory strategies and plans will be conducted
to test a process for assembling an overall strategy. Other matters
discussed included:
- Involvement in a Local Service Board
Climate Change event being planned for March 2009.
- The likelihood of a Waste Forum being
held to tie in with a consultation on WAG's new Waste Strategy, expected
in Spring 2009.
- The potential of voluntary groups to
extend the labour-intensive Zero Waste approach to more communities.
- The growth of MCC and community
energy-saving and renewable energy activity; the need for an advice note
on avoiding any adverse impact on wildlife by small wind and hydro
schemes will be explored.
24 September 2008: Matters
considered included:
- The future of the Board's Monmouth Show
Green Energy Area - whether to combine with 'Countryside Matters' as a
'Green Living' area; whether a presence at Usk Show would be feasible.
Coordinator to investigate options.
- The draft Regional Transport Plan:
The Board was generally supportive but felt that cross-border public
transport needed more attention and that projects such as Connect 2 at
Monmouth needed specific mention; some members strongly opposed to M4
relief road, without which more money would be available for sustainable
transport; a local transport plan for the county and an annual forum
were needed.
- The new Tidy Towns initiative (in
Monmouthshire to be known as Tidy Local Communities - TLC) to be run
by RCA in association with Keep Wales Tidy. Members concerned to
avoid damage to protected species.
- An update on energy efficiency
incentives and reports on grants for hydro power in the Wye Valley and
the Big Green Challenge in the National Park and its margins.
- A draft action plan for the Board and
the need to extend its content.
18 June 2008: A well-attended
meeting considered a wide range of matters including:
- The work of the Monmouthshire Local
Service Board and its Community Strategy: It was felt that the role of
the LSB needed clarification and the EPB will ask how comments made on
the draft Strategy are to be dealt with. The LSB's intention to
refresh Open Strategy was welcomed (see note of EPB meeting on 11
January below). In order to assist its input to the Community
Strategy, the Board will assemble an Environment Action Plan bringing
together the main intentions of its partners and others. The EPB
also considered its response to a 'fit for purpose' questionnaire issued
by the LSB, usefully identifying areas for improvement.
- Progress on the Council's Energy and
Climate Change Strategy, the results of which are now posted elsewhere
on these EPB pages. MCC aims to reduce its carbon emissions from
buildings by 40% in five years.
- The likelihood that a consultation event
later this would consider the draft Regional Transport Plan, local needs
and demand for an annual consultative Transport Forum.
- The need to review the form of the Waste
Forum, possibly as an annual event. County Council and
Monmouthshire Community Recycling representatives gave detailed reports
on waste management progress, including the current pilot of co-mingled
collection and the need for a fair comparison of this with the black box
system. WAG policies are expected to be clearer in September.
- The Board will have an improved Green
Energy Area at the Monmouth Show on 28 August.
11 April 2008: Much of the
meeting was concerned with the Board's response to the Local Service
Board's draft Community Strategy. A report of the EPB 5 April
workshop on the subject was received. Members were generally pleased
that the Strategy had focused on the need for short-term action to tackle
climate change and issues relating to access to services and facilities
including transport, but felt that Sustainability should be a key focus
and regretted that the LSB had not adopted the 'overarching' approach to
the Strategy. A full response will be submitted before the end of
April.
Other matters included:
- MCC progress with workshops (internal
and community) developing Climate Change and Energy action plans.
- The concerns of some members about MCC's
Medium Term Waste Strategy and the role of the Waste Forum. A
meeting is to be arranged with MCC.
- An environmental education showcase to
be held at Gilwern on 25 April.
- Progress on village hall energy audits
and action arising from these.
- Concern that the MCC 'Open Strategy' is
not adequately resourced or user-friendly and therefore its potential is
wasted.
11 January 2008: The main
agenda item was County Council waste management policy, introduced by
Cabinet Member Eric Saxon. Most of the Council's consultative plans
to minimise waste going to landfill were welcomed, noting that MCC is one
of the leading Welsh authorities for diverting biodegradable waste from
landfill. Members were surprised to learn that 36% of household
waste, by weight, is food and green waste. Concern was expressed
that residual waste seemed likely to be incinerated in a regional
energy-from-waste plant rather than rely on solutions based on other
methods, but it was noted that no decision had been taken. Members
questioned a WAG waste collection target which conflicted with the
preferable option of home composting. The MCR Zero Waste project at
St Arvans achieves 95% participation, and there are now encouraging
results in Abergavenny's Communities First area. The importance of
taking every opportunity for public education was stressed.
Other environmental matters included:
- MCC has succeeded in a prosecution for
fly-tipping, a substantial fine being imposed, and is using road
planings for rural footpath improvement.
- The Board will assist the arrangement of
a Local Development Plan workshop and possibly another on the new
Community Strategy.
- MCC consultants will be holding
community workshops on the Climate Change Strategy in the Spring.
- A meeting for anyone involved in
education for sustainable development is planned for 25 April - contact:
ColetteMooney@monmouthshire.gov.uk.
- Energy audits for first village halls
completed for Rural Community Action.
- Further consideration of the possibility
of repeating the Green Energy Area, possibly at the Usk Show in 2008.
- Agreement that the Board's coordination
arrangement with Monmouthshire GreenWeb be extended to 2008/09.
- The Gwent Wildlife Trust has raised
funds to purchase Wyeswood Common, adjoining their Pentwyn Farm reserve,
and now seeks funds for land management.
5 October 2007: Among the
matters discussed and conclusions were:
- An update on the County Council's
measures to tackle fly tipping led to criticism of the Council's own
practice of depositing highway materials in rural lay-bys, especially in
the National Park. The matter will be raised with the Highways
Section, together with the scope for reusing waste materials.
- The Green Energy Area was considered
successful and worth repeating if funding can be found. A better
position on the showground is wanted.
- The County Council's Climate Change
Strategy had been welcomed in a Board response and it was hoped that the
Board might play a part in taking forward community-related aspects of
the Strategy.
- The National Park's Planning Advisory
Note on solar and other renewables has encouraged more planning
applications.
- Concern was expressed that energy
efficiency standards in larger developments that are 'self-certified'
under building regulations may not always be adequately enforced.
- Rural Community Action in partnership
with the SE Wales Energy Agency are hoping to introduce a scheme to help
village halls save energy. Another SEWA project could promote
energy efficiency at a community level in Monmouthshire.
- The role of the Council's Open Strategy
project in the review of the Community Strategy was discussed and the
Partnership's input was examined 'live'. It was agreed to respond
to a WAG consultation on new Community Strategy guidance asking for
stronger emphasis on Sustainable Development and WAG's own Environment
Strategy, questioning the emphasis on collaborative projects seemingly
at the expense of others, and stressing the need for adequate resources
to assemble the Strategies.
- A meeting of relevant partners will be
arranged to consider the scope for a project relating to biodiversity
and landscape.
- The difficulties and controversies of
increasing use of biodiesel were discussed; a local voluntary project
based on researching the availability of used cooking oil seems unlikely
to proceed.
- It was hoped that MCC's appointment of a
Transportation Strategy Manager would enable progress on transport
matters, including a Transport Forum or Conference.
- The likelihood that Chepstow Town
Council would lead a Transition Town project encouraging
self-sufficiency and less reliance on fossil fuels.
6 July 2007: The main
matters discussed and conclusions were:
- The Board's energy efficiency sub group
should become more involved in the wider community actions of the
forthcoming MCC climate change/energy efficiency plan. This would
also be a topic for a Transport Forum if this is established.
- Following St Arvans' success, it was
noted that other communities in the AONB could apply for Sustainable
Development Fund grants for projects to minimise waste.
Monmouthshire Community Recycling are now focusing on the Communities
First area of Abergavenny.
- The Board learned about the Bryn y Cwm
Forum waste management proposals and that a Regional Waste Plan review
would be available for comment in the autumn.
- Several member organisations are now
looking into the use of biodiesel for their fleet vehicles; the EPB and
the AONB have grant-aided a green energy area at Monmouth Show (30
August); SWALEC are seeking a (gas-using) community of about 500 houses
for a community-led energy reduction project. (A Vale of
Glamorgan community was subsequently chosen.)
- The education for sustainable
development sub group is gathering information on existing provision -
contact
ColetteMooney@monmouthshire.gov.uk. Over half of Monmouthshire
schools are now registered as Eco-schools, three with green flag awards.
- The Board will consider holding a public
event in 2008 with a planning and sustainability theme linked to the
Local Development Plan process.
- The Board will have a seat on the new
Local Service Board steering joint action on public sector projects
across Monmouthshire.
13 April 2007: The Board's
business was largely consideration of the results of the Waste and Energy
Workshops held on 19 March. The main conclusions of the meeting
were:
- The Board should be represented at the
Council's mainly internal Climate Change Workshop on 18 May, which would
be considering energy efficiency measures.
- A sub group would consider the value of
planning for ecological connectivity corridors as a response to climate
change.
- More guidance was needed on the
incorporation of Board projects into the Council's Open Strategy
process.
- The Waste Forum should play a role in
community consultation on the Council's forthcoming review of its Waste
Strategy - to be discussed with Cabinet Member.
- The success of the St Arvans zero waste
project was welcomed and the potential of this growing to become a low
carbon community is to be investigated.
- Monmouth Friends of the Earth are
considering a biodiesel club based on recycled cooking oil.
- Consideration will be given to partners
arranging an energy zone, with advice and suppliers, at Monmouth Show.
- MCC would consider an agreement whereby
Monmouthshire GreenWeb would provide coordination and other services for
the Board.
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