Present:
Ralph Openshaw
Matt Trevaskis
Karen Clowes
Justin Olosunde
Gina Aylward
John Brailey
Crystal Wakefield
Ruth Browning
Peter Le Mare
Frances Truscott
Philippa Collet
Michelle Cowmeadow
Simon Reed (left around 7.30pm)
1. Welcome by Chair. Ralph welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies were received from:
Rob Pickering
Patsy Stevens
Leslie Bradley
Adam Whaley
Julia Bradley
Monique Schneider
Lynne Gulliford
3. Minutes of February meeting.
The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record.
4. Constitution: final discussion for now
Ralph explained that the bulk of the time in this meeting would be dedicated to looking at the constitution. There has been lots of discussion on the constitution to date and a lot of changes have been suggested. Peter has produced a list of amendments and Ralph thanked him for this. The amendments were available on our yahoo website and hard copies were sent to those on the distribution list without e-mail access.
It was agreed by consensus that the best way to go through the amendments would be take each point separately, although Peter did feel that the document would be better looked at as a whole. A lengthy e-mail discussion has been ongoing regarding the constitution on our website.
Taking the points in Peter's amended constitution it was decided that:
Aims
1. Addition of 'Quality of life does not necessarily mean increasing
or continuing, the use of high technology and energy wasteful
systems or lifestyles'. Peter told the group that he believes
that high technology uses more energy and is therefore not sustainable.
Matt felt that this statement is at least in part Peter's personal
opinion. Michelle stated that high technology can be good for
sustainability, e.g. wind power.
It was agreed that this should not be added to the constitution.
4. Addition of 'in particular the idea of a public forum
to decide on these issues, which are about the life of the planet'.
Peter stated that he put this forward because it should be
seen as part of a whole. He believes if we have agreed to embody
the principles of LA21 that it is necessary to take it further.
Matt felt that this addition is too vague, and that we either
are or are not a public forum. Francis stated that once again,
the same faces are sitting around the table, we need to encourage
others to come into the forum. Gina said the issue is about the
language used in this addition. Philippa suggested an alternative
addition of 'through the vehicle of a public forum'. Matt suggested
that instead in the section about 'Meetings' we make it clear
that the meetings are of a public forum. Peter stated that LA21
is all about the public taking part directly and that we must
not be just another discussion group. The public must be the ones
making the decisions to present to authorities.
It was finally agreed that this amendment should not be added.
Objectives
1. Suggested amendment to include a new objective at 1 and
move all previous objectives down one. The new objective being
'To be a true public forum to which all can come and their voice
is of equal weight and thus to strive for real public decision
making'. Simon asked how the group see themselves as being
able to represent the issues back to the council. Matt stated
that the group are already doing things and cited the examples
that this week there is a meeting with Arthur Roberts and Peter
Verran at Penwith District Council to discuss access at public
buildings/places, etc. And that next month Roger Harnett will
be attending our meeting to discuss Sustainable Planning issues.
The group was originally initiated by Karen, and it is felt that
Penwith do acknowledge that we are able to feed back directly
to them. Simon asked what dynamic process we have to get our messages
to the Councillors. Francis stated that when we have more members
we must be an action group and we must also invite councillors
to our meetings. Our debates must be something the public want
to come and listen to. Michelle stated that it would be good if
we could get councillors to come along to the Green Fair at Easter.
It was agreed that this amendment should be added.
Membership
Suggested amendment add at 1 a new membership clause and
move all previous clauses down one. New No.1 to read ' Any member
of the public is a member'. It was felt that we should have
members but that we should make it clear that discussions like
this are available to all. John stated that he felt that 'registration
of membership' is a good term to use. After a discussion it
was agreed that this new clause should not be added.
1. Suggested Amendment Change this to 'Registration of
Membership of Sustainable Penwith is open to individuals or organisations,
which support the aims of Sustainable Penwith'. It was agreed
to change this clause as suggested.
2. Suggested Amendment change to 'Registered Members will
not be required to pay a subscription, but donations will be appreciated'
It was agreed to change this clause as suggested.
3. Voting rights shall be held ... The question of whether
we all voting for everyone or whether voting should only be allowed
after membership has been held for one month was discussed. Francis
suggested that we leave this as it is, that the group now moves
forward and be seen to be doing positive things, and that once
this has happened we can look again at different ways of working.
It was decided to reject the suggested amendments up to point
7.
4. This will stay as in original constitution.
5. Voting shall be by a show of hands ... Francis suggested
that we add to this 'a consensus is the most desirable form
of decision making'. This was accepted by consensus.
8. 'Members who are deemed to have worked against the aims....' change may be suspended or expelled' to 'censured'. Ruth stated that she feels it is important that when emotions are raised that we have procedures to ensure that no-one feels pushed out. Matt suggested we keep to the original point 8, but just change suspended or expelled to censured. Gina asked what we mean by censured, it is important to know this in case we should ever have to use it. It was agreed that point 8 should now read 'Members who are deemed ..... may be censured, this may include suspension'.
The suggested change to the heading of section 3 to read 'Membership and Voting' was regarded by the group as unnecessary.
Annual General Meeting
3. 'Ten per cent of the membership ...' it was agreed to change this to read 'Ten per cent of the number of registered membership or 5 registered members, whichever is the greatest, shall constitute a quorum for the AGM or other General Meetings. ' It was agreed not to add the suggested addition to point 3 'If a quorum is not maintained ...'
Officers
1. Suggested amendment replace chairperson with 'facilitator',
it was agreed that this was not necessary. Chairperson being a
term which everybody understands. It was also agreed to add to
this clause 'these are jobs and not positions of authority'.
2. It was agreed that the suggested amendments to clause 2 was
no longer relevant.
3. It was decided to reject the amendment 'When officers
step down or can no longer continue, any thus vacated posts will
be appointed at the next AGM or at an EGM, called with the normal
notice of a usual meeting, with the reason given i.e., vacant
position' since it removes the implication that posts will
regularly be re-elected.
4. It was agreed to add a new clause to read 'These posts will
form officer group to make decisions only in extreme or
time restricted circumstances'.
Extraordinary General Meetings
1. It was agreed to change clause 1 as suggested with the exception of 'and as many as the general public as is reasonable to inform' i.e. 'Extraordinary general meetings can be called by 5 or more registered members, on giving at least one calendar month's written notice to all other registered members, specifying date, time, location, agenda and motions for the meeting; each registered member signing the notice with their names, which shall also be printed at the bottom of the notice.'
2. 'EGM's can be called by ordinary members..." amendment rejected.
Constitution
1. It was agreed to change this to 'This definitive constitution can only be changed by a motion at the AGM or an EGM, which is supported by consensus or at least the agreement of two thirds of the meeting.'
Winding up
1. It was agreed to keep the original wording for clause 1
'Sustainable Penwith shall be wound up by a vote at the AGM
or an EGM'.
Ralph stated that we must now as a group take responsibility to read through the new amended constitution before the next meeting.
5. Definition of a Mission Statement
It was decided that we delay forming a mission statement for three or four months and rather concentrate on getting on with some actions.
6. WCT sub-group nominations
Gina has received a nomination form from our Chairperson and also one from Ralph (as an independent member) for the environment sub-group of West Cornwall Together. Gina went to a recent meeting held at the Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership's offices in Camborne, the meeting was essentially a pre-meeting of the soon to be formed sub-group. People will know whether or not they have been successful in their application to join the group by the end of April. Applications can be made to all the sub-groups of WCT. Crystal stated that she has put in an application to the Health and Well-being sub-group. Francis suggested that because our group is quite small at the moment we would spread ourselves out too thinly if we tried to have representation on all the sub-groups, so it might be an idea to try and recruit to this forum people who are already on the WCT sub-groups. It was agreed that this was a very good idea and that this should be followed up.
Gina explained to the group that each sub-group of WCT has a maximum size of 18 representatives sitting on it, with a mix of private, public and community sector. All the sub-groups are cross-cutting across the whole of the strategic partnership and will have an influence on the targets of the WCT action plan.
7. Penzance/Newlyn Regeneration group viewpoint
Matt told the group that he went to the Penzance Area Forum's public meeting last month. He stated that one of the items discussed of the most relevance to the group is traffic movements in Market Jew Street. There will be an all day public consultation on County Council's proposals for Market Jew Street on 26th April at St Johns Hall. Matt suggested that 2 or 3 people from this group take up issues on CCC's proposals, especially regarding pedestrianisation of the street. Karen advised that predestrianisation is not something CCC currently consider to be feasible, and that we might be best concentrating on issues such as special parking bays for wheelchair users. CCC are not allowing for any disabled parking on the street, due to the number of drivers (about 1 in 10) in Cornwall who have disabled parking stickers. However, it might be an idea to ask them to consider parking for the very seriously disabled perhaps through the introduction of permits for wheelchair users. Matt stated that another issue might be that traffic calming measures will increase traffic emissions, especially since CCC's current proposals are for one-way traffic uphill. Karen suggested asking them to consider imposing a time restriction on delivery lorries, so that in the daytime large lorries would not be allowed to offload. Karen stated that the best way to get CCC to put the issues that the group feel need to be addressed at a public consultation is to send a letter to Chris Sim at County Council's Transportation Offices in Scorrier, asking for them to be included in the consultation process.
Karen told the meeting that Nigel Howell is the officer at Penwith District Council who is in charge of Penzance Regeneration. Nigel has been seconded from Cornwall County Council. It was agreed that Nigel be asked if he would like to attend our next meeting and that Penzance/Newlyn Regeneration would be carried forward as an item on our next Agenda.
8. Forthcoming meeting with Arthur Roberts, Head of Operational Services PDC
Matt told the group that he will be meeting with Arthur Roberts, Peter Verran (building and engineering manager) and Karen on Wednesday 10th March. This meeting has been arranged to discuss access/facilities in and around public buildings for the disabled/disadvantaged members of our community. Patsy has already given Matt a list of points regarding St Ives that she would like discussed at the meeting. Francis asked that Matt contact CDF as it is important that we liaise with other groups who have been active and have an interest in this area. Matt said he would phone them before going to the meeting. Philippa stated that Access Cornwall should also be contacted.
[ Update: Photos of some local (mobility) access problems mentioned in the meeting can be viewed at http://www.sustainable.penwith.btinternet.co.uk/access.htm ]
9. Any Other Business
It was decided that the membership form's title should be changed to 'Registration of Membership'. Karen to distribute to all members with the minutes of this meeting asking them to fill it in if they so wish.
Karen handed out a discussion document drawn up by PDC's Sustainable Tourism Officer (David Rutherford). David is in the process of putting together a Sustainable Tourism Strategy for Penwith and would like Sustainable Penwith to be a consultee on the stategy. Karen asked that everyone have a read through it before the next meeting and asked if it could be added as an Agenda item next month.
Karen also handed out the latest letter from the New Economics Foundation regarding their campaign for the Local Communities Sustainability Bill, and asked if we could all fill in their questionnaire printed on the back of the letter. The New Economics Foundation's newsletter was also handed out.
Crystal suggested that we compile a list of speakers to invite to our meetings and that we can then schedule such speakers in. Gina stated that Becky Trehair of WCCN and Interlink would be a good person to talk at one of our meetings.
Francis reminded everyone that the Easter Green Fair is being held at St Johns Hall on Easter Saturday April 10th.
Philippa stated that the 'County Tourism Vision' is also being drawn up and that the group should have an input.
Matt told the group that he had been approached by Jodie of Peacechild this is a United Nations initiative working with young people teaching them about sustainable development. Part of the project involves the young people giving presentations on what they have learnt and he wonders whether it would be an idea for them to come to one of our meetings and give a presentation.
Matt has also been contacted by a St Just resident who is looking to install a 6kw wind turbine, he will be coming along to our next meeting.
Matt informed the group that the display will be in St Just library for the whole of March.
Matt also stated that Rob Pickering has advised that due to personal circumstances he will be unable to continue as Treasurer, and that the appointment of a new Treasurer needs to be an item on next month's agenda.
Ralph suggested that in future when meetings do not include a presentation that they should be of a 1.5 hour duration only, and when with a guest speaker they should be of a 2 hour duration. This was agreed by the group. Meetings will continue to start at 7pm.
10. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on 19th April at Penwith District
Council Offices Committee Room 2 at 7pm.