Present:
Matt Trevaskis
Mike Orman
Gina Aylward
Ruth Browning
Justin Olosundé
Crystal Wakefield
Ralph Openshaw
Stella Benson
Julia Bradley
Peter Le Mare
Mike Toms, Recycling Manager, PDC
1. Welcome by Chair
Justin (substituting for Michelle) welcomed everyone to the
meeting.
2. Apologies for absence were received from:
Karen Clowes
Frances Truscott
Michelle Cowmeadow
Jane Michell
Caroline Astin
Adam Whaley
Lesley Bradley
[Patsy Stevens]
3. Minutes of January meeting
Justin pointed out that his name was absent from the list of those present at the meeting.
Matt confirmed that an email had been sent to PDC regarding access issues and confirmed that a verbal acknowledgement had been received, and a meeting with Arthur Roberts, Head of Operational Services, Pete Verram, PDC's Buildings Manager, Karen and a representative of the group would be scheduled for late February.
Constitutional matters were deferred to agenda item 4.
Library display: Justin reported that the display is now up in Penzance library and will be there for the whole of February. Matt thanked Justin, Lesley, Ruth, Michelle, Mike and Karen for their efforts to realise the display. Crystal's suggestion about a competition to design a logo for the group has not yet been acted upon. Stella offered to design a poster inviting children to design a logo. This will be added to the library display. Crystal requested a comments box. Matt has provided this and a preliminary feedback form.
Penzance Green Fair (Easter Saturday, St. John's Hall): Friends of the Earth feel it is not appropriate to split the hosting three ways between FoE, Penwith Environment Network (PEN) and the group, as suggested in the January meeting, though they welcome our participation and will make a donation to the group from the income generated. The issue of whether to have a stall is deferred until later in the meeting.
Further discussion about a bank account was deferred given both Karen's and Rob's absences.
Sustainable Communities Bill: Karen was contacted by the New Economics Foundation with regard to supporting this bill. In Karen's absence any further discussion was deferred until next month. Peter questioned whether this was the same Bill that was the subject of an email appeal by Matt for support recently on the Yahoo email forum: this was regarding the Sustainable Buildings Bill which several group members 'forwarded' to Andrew George MP, and received responses (explaining that he had assured support for the Bills though not personally)
Matt confirmed that a proposed letter to Roger Harnett, Head of Planning at PDC, was sent. Verbal acknowledgement received. Mr Harnett is keen to work with the group to promote sustainable practices, although limited by what can actually be required by planning laws, and will come to a meeting in the near future. Matt to confirm future meeting dates and contact again.
4. Constitution - acceptance of final draft
Peter opposed the final draft of the constitution as circulated to the group, and has produced an alternative constitution. Ralph pointed out that the group has been through a process and arrived at the constitution. Peter says that a different approach is required. Justin asked if the group have the time to discuss it in the meeting. Peter said that Matt hasn't understood the proposed changes [referring to an email discussion on the Yahoo forum] Peter says that LA21 is/should be a public forum. Peter argued that Matt's suggestions that voting rights were [as agreed at the last meeting] engineered so as to lessen the likelihood of subversive infiltration are not valid since infiltration is possible anyway and cited examples of national government.
Crystal asked if this should be deferred to agenda item 6 "Ethos of the group". Gina asked why Peter waited until now to propose the amendments. Peter reasoned that he couldn't come to the last meeting. Mike Orman suggested that the group take away Peter's revised constitution to digest.
Justin proposed an agenda item to defer decision until the next meeting.
Ralph proposed that Peter produce a list of the amendments before next month. Gina seconded this. Matt rebutted Peter's suggestion about infiltration clarifying that the group decided upon this at January's meeting.
Matt suggested that people are losing interest in the group because of the excessive discussion about the constitution, and further suggested that the group need to determine a deadline for deciding upon a constitution in the next couple of months.
Crystal proposed that this deadline should be next month's meeting. Ralph seconded.
Peter suggested that people have left because of the content of the constitution - that the group is no different to other similar organisations.
5. Acceptance of Membership Form
Ralph suggested that for better adherence to the Data Protection Act that the clause on the form stating that personal information will be held on computer for mailing purposes should be adjacent to the signature area. This was echoed by Gina. Julia pointed out that Justin had used 'z' in organization instead of 's'. Justin conceded to correct the Americanism.
Peter asked that if he chose not to sign the form would that mean he had no voting rights?
Justin reiterated that to have voting rights one must sign the form the previous meeting.
Peter drew attention to his suggestion of a "registration" of membership, but that all members of the public should implicitly be "members" of the group.
Ralph said that he felt the group was being ambushed with such a significant proposal [referring to Peter's reworking of the constitution] so late in the day and that the group can't carry on revising the constitution indefinitely.
Ralph proposed that Peter should present the revisions as a series of amendments rather than a complete document. Julia seconded. 9 in agreement, majority carried.
Mike Toms pointed out that the group should emphasise that the membership form is printed on recycled paper by adding wording and/or logo to that effect.
6. Definition of Mission Statement
Gina (for West Cornwall Community Network) told the group that WCCN did this about 6 months ago in a group of 6 or 7 people. Gina said she would be happy to supply information on creating a mission statement. Justin said that he would like to see this. Gina to email this information to Matt.
Peter suggested that the group needs to understand ethos of the group before deciding the constitution. Mike O reminded everyone that the group had a "wish list" in an early meeting. Justin suggested that this needs to be incorporated. This is to be an agenda item at the next meeting.
Matt to distribute the process information from Gina to the group.
7. Library Display
Ruth reported how some of the group met a week ago Thursday to collate the material for display. Michelle's woodland pictures had great visual impact. The recycling display was good, but there was too much material to display! Green Energy info was sourced from SWEB (and other companies). Lots of people have been observed viewing the display. Pictures of the display have been taken for a record, and for ease of reconstruction when the display is moved to St. Just, St. Ives and Hayle in subsequent months. Ruth expressed appreciation that Simon Reed, Penzance Town Mayor, took the time to come along and open the display. The Cornishman ran an article last week with a photo and a short description of the display and contact details [thanks to Patsy for organising the reporter/photographer].
Justin echoed Crystal's suggestion for a feedback form.
Gina said it was a good start for public displays and that other topics could be covered in later events. Matt admitted that 2 topics would probably have been sufficient given the amount of room available and the quantity of information displayed.
8. Meeting of PDC's Social, Environmental and Economic Committee, Wednesday 11th February, 7pm, St John's Hall.
Matt suggested that someone should attend to introduce the group, as he had done at Penzance Town Council's meeting last Monday. Justin asked if the group wants to attend. Crystal thought that it would be good to keep up to date with the proceedings. Mike Toms pointed out that for the SEE meeting prior notice and permission are needed to speak, but the general public can attend [most of] the meeting. Crystal suggested that the group attend as individual members of the public for now until the constitution is finalised. Matt and Crystal will attend on Wednesday. Mike O may also be able to attend.
Gina reminded the group that Sandra Rothwell of West Cornwall Together made the group aware in a previous meeting of the formation of a new WCT environmental sub-group. The first meeting of the group is 27th February at 8:45am at Tolvaddon Park, nr Camborne. Catherine Reeve at PDC is the contact. Gina will be attending for WCCN and offered to express an interest on behalf of the group. Justin seconded Gina attending the meeting and reporting back for the group.
Crystal asked when the other sub-groups are forming. Gina said that they are already formed but that WCT is restructuring in April - closing and re-opening - so it is a good time to express an interest in sitting on a sub-group. Given the short time frame, Gina suggested that the group should move quickly to act upon this. Gina will give Matt information to distribute.
Justin pointed out that for the sake of our relationship to groups like WCT that the sooner the group resolve the constitutional matters the better.
9. Recycling
Justin introduced Mike Toms, Recycling Manager for PDC. Mike gave a summary of the activities of PDC in regard to recycling over the past couple of years. In 2000/1 Penwith was a poor performer and only achieved 2% recycling rates, followed by 4% the next year. In the year 2002/3 8% was achieved and now, based on January's figures, 16.5% of domestic waste [by weight] is being recycled.
Mike continued that PDC started the Green Box scheme 11 months ago for newspapers & magazines, glass, cans and textiles. Boxes were chosen on "health and safety" grounds to be able to collect glass safely, compared to other districts which collect all materials, including glass, in plastic bags.
There are now 3 Kerbsider vehicles serving 96% of households in the district. There are still a few "pockets" not served by the kerbside scheme but these are gradually being included. In blocks of flats where particular problems exist with Green Box usage, communal bins have been provided for different recycling materials.
The scheme does not collect all materials unfortunately. There are "bring sites" at supermarkets etc. which are still proving popular for cardboard and plastic bottles. PDC also operate green waste skips in the summer from which garden waste is taken to Splattenridden(sp?) Farm for processing. PDC have studied a scheme in the Forest of Dean area which collects 5,000 tonnes of green waste annually. PDC are awaiting the result of an application to DEFRA for funding to implement a similar kerbside green waste scheme in Penwith.
Penwith has projects working with schools to increase recycling, and operate a bulky item collection. Street sweepings are also composted. PDC offer cost price composters. PDC have recently introduced campsite recycling facilities, since the tourism industry is obviously a large contributor to waste/recycling in the area.
PDC are considering plastic (bottle) and cardboard collection but not in the near future citing prohibitive costs.
Justin asked, on behalf of Jane, what was being done to reduce the amount of waste we generate in the first place?
Mike T replied that schemes were run in conjunction with Cornwall County Council to educate people on the reduction of packaging - that packaging can often weigh more than the goods themselves. Richard Bower is the Education Recycling Officer for CCC. Mike continued that Andy Tanner has worked with schools to educate children about recycling, teaching the reduce-reuse-recycle idiom. PDC attend the Royal Cornwall Show each year. CCC have applied for grant funding for further educational promotions.
Ralph added that the Bash Street Circus have toured performances in schools about recycling.
Crystal reasoned that while it is good to educate the next generation of "consumers" that the children are not buying the majority of the products; that it is the adults that need to be the target. Crystal has witnessed nothing in Pendeen or St Just, towns of 2,000 people each.
Mike T replied that up until now they have focussed upon introducing the infrastructure rather than education, but that the DEFRA bid does include a publicity campaign. Mike T added that budgetary constraints hamper this. Ralph added that CCC funding bids including waste awareness bids are competing with other bids.
Mike T mentioned a door-to-door campaign last year enquiring upon shoppers' purchasing habits. The interviewers faced hostility for wearing PDC badges and were questioned about varying, unrelated aspects of the Council's operations.
Peter said that we need to be generating less waste. Shops produce so much packaging on goods, and freely offer plastic carrier bags. The Irish carrier bag tax was mentioned and Ruth added that Germany does not use carrier bags. Ruth also said that Richards Health Food shop used to offer long-life canvas bags. Matt responded that they still do, if you ask. Mike O recently noted that Co-op carrier bags are "degradable" but Julia explained that this took 99 years!
Matt said that Germany fines residents for not separating recyclables
from their other waste and asked if a similar scheme is enforceable
here? Mike T replied that under Section 46 of the EPA, it allows
for the issue of an enforcement notice. He stated that he would
like to see some
component of mandatory recycling incorporated by 2005/2006, but
was non specific on the form.
Matt said that he researched recycling statistics from the other District Councils in the county and compared the performances of different schemes, although different recording methods made this difficult. In a comparison (adjusted for population) with Kerrier, who do collect cardboard and plastic bottles, it is estimated that in this year Penwith is 'missing' over 39 tonnes of plastic bottles [and 100t of cardboard], the majority of which are going to landfill. Matt said that the volume of this must be massive. Mike T offered that the large blue recycling banks for bottles at "bring sites" hold only 1/3 tonne, so over 100 skips would be the annual amount. [This is based on only what Kerrier residents actually choose to recycle]
Matt suggested that PDC offer "can crushing" devices that allow steel and aluminium cans to be squashed to 20% of their original size, allowing for more cans to be carried in the Kerbsider trucks, since the cans section is by far the first to fill up, requiring the truck to be driven to Cornwall Paper Company at Pool for emptying. Mike T replied that the trucks operate at far less than their maximum weight capacity. Alternatively, householders could use the volume saving to recycle plastic bottles since the load can be sorted at CPC anyway. Mike T will consider the sourcing and use of can crushers, if only on a trial basis.
Mike responded that he receives a recycling credit of £36.22
per tonne of domestic waste diverted from landfill, and that plastics
represented no weight just volume and generated a very
poor "recycling credit" return.
Matt suggested that Penwith adopt a similar scheme as Carrick and North Cornwall District Councils that in 2000/1 each issued 7,500 composters to residents for no charge, given that over 20% of household waste is compostable, which could save 10,000s of pounds in landfill charges. Mike T explained that the Council does not receive credits for waste that is home composted and so could not afford to issue them. PDC does sell composters at cost.
Ruth enquired how much does a normal wheelie bin cost PDC to be processed? Mike T said that it costs PDC around 50p to empty each wheelie bin per week.
If the DEFRA bid is successful PDC plan to use the existing 240 litre (large) wheelie bins for green waste and provide a second wheelie bin (smaller size) for landfill waste.
Matt pointed out that our recycling rates are so much poorer than much of Western Europe - Netherlands: 48%, Germany: 52%.
Mike responded that we are playing catch-up and they have a decade head start.
Ruth enquired if the weekly bin run could be reduced to fortnightly to encourage recycling?
Mike T stated that in up-country trials this had nearly led to civil disobedience and was not a practical way forward.
Ruth enquired about the status of commercial waste and stated that she had observed a Public House throwing all of their empty bottles into conventional waste bins.
Mike T responded that commercial operators can choose their
contractor for waste removal and only some have recycling systems
in place. He observed those with such systems in place could be
slightly cheaper. Mike conceded he would like to see more done
about commercial waste because domestic waste is only 10% of the
total waste stream but stated it was neither a
central or local government priority. Ralph concurred.
Matt asked a question on behalf of Lesley Bradley: Are there any community composting facilities or the possibility of introducing them?
Ralph responded that there was one in Falmouth, one further up the South Coast and one in Bodmin. However there is no generic composting sites open to the public. Ralph explained the reason there is no such facility is the licensing issues, and potential associated costs, arising and pertaining to the DEFRA consultation exercise combined with an ever changing picture and little momentum.
Matt asked a question that he felt Patsy would reiterate to Mike T if she was present: What was being done to promote 'casual' recycling in town centres, supplementing litter bins with recycling facilities, particularly given the proposed regeneration of Penzance town centre?
Mike responded he would like to see recycling going on everywhere, however, where such casual schemes exist in Cornwall, such as Truro city centre, the bins were being misused and being treated as ordinary waste bins. He also stated there was a problem with shopkeepers having a not in my back-yard [NIMBY] approach to the recycling bins, but agreed that they were self-promoting of recycling in general, being so visible.
Crystal asked Mike T what was being done regarding waste to energy conversion at landfill sites. Mike T replied that St. Day has been operating a scheme for 5 years with pipes driven deep into the site extracting gas to produce electricity for several thousand properties. The other landfill site at Liskeard also has waste to energy conversion plant. The landfill directive encourages less landfill. Ralph added that there are fears over incineration facilities and that effort towards alternatives is most likely - residual waste extraction of materials, maybe including hi-tech incineration. CCC has put in a bid for a PFI for supporting districts recycling efforts. The county waste contract, currently held by County Environmental Services (CES), is now out to tender.
Mike O said that he had read that the domestic waste stream is increasing by 3-4% per year. Mike T said that they are trying to combat this by education and waste minimisation. Mike O added that it must be harder to make the incremental steps now after the leaps that PDC have made in the last few years. Ralph reported that under the PFI the target for recycling will be 40% by 2010.
Peter asked what is to be done with the waste entering village skips, particularly electrical and electronic equipment.
Ralph explained that the WEEE directive which will be introduced in 2006 requires the efficient recycling of such items. Justin added that the manufacturers of such items will be required to fund the end-of-life processing.
Julia commented that the communal bins in flats where she lives are in a terrible state with all kinds of items being deposited into them.
Peter added that residents currently have to pay for the disposal of items.
Mike T responded that the fee is currently 10 pounds for up to 3 items, and neighbours are encouraged to share the expense by removing several items in one visit.
Mike O suggested that to discourage fly-tipping the fee should be increased to, say, 20 pounds.
Gina asked if there was a sliding scale for means-based charging, for those in receipt of benefits.
Mike T said no, because of the complexities of varying the charges and added that the charge must balance between the cost and the problem of fly-tipping.
10. Any Other Business
Feedback form from library display: Matt to send the existing (preliminary) form to the group for suggestions and revisions. Crystal asked if Mike could provide leaflets promoting recycling from PDC for the display. Mike had already supplied some, via Karen, to Matt on composters, wormeries, [and recycling and village skip schedules].
Green Fair stall: Should the group have one? Justin proposed that it does. Ralph seconded. Motion carried. Matt to contact the organiser to book.
On Karen's behalf, Matt read a proposal Karen has made to recommend that PDC assumes a Fair Trade purchasing policy, explaining that tea and coffee served in PDC's Committee Rooms and canteen are already Fair Trade and that caretakers have been instructed to buy Fair Trade tea and coffee for other purposes when they next need to replace these items. Karen's note explains that the Council must agree to go Fair Trade and appoint someone or a committee to be responsible for this. Karen wondered if the group would support this proposal. This was unanimously carried.
Mike O suggested that the group join LETS - the Local Exchange Trading System, and presented application forms for the group and any individuals who wanted to join. PEN are members. Mike O proposed that the group join. Peter seconded. Unanimously carried. [Mike O to arrange this]
Ralph informed the group that Channel 4 Television contacted him looking for potential contestants for their show "Wife Swap", looking for a mother from an "alternative" family to swap with one that most definitely isn't. It will be a 5 day exchange with a 500 Pound reward. No takers.
Crystal warned that the group should be careful about the ad hoc scheduling of meetings and particularly guest speakers. Matt explained that he has generated an events calendar, as suggested at January's meeting, and it is available at the new website: http://www.sustainable.penwith.btinternet.co.uk/
The next meeting will be at 7pm on Monday 8th March at the
same venue. Ralph volunteered to chair.