Sustainable Crediton

Core Group Meeting, Monday July 6th 2020 (Dee Ross, Esther Mann, John Craythorne, Caroline Romijn)

1. Pollinator project - updates from Dee

a. Almshouses: Visited 3/7/2020 with Simon O'Sullivan who will draw up planting plan (focus on low maintenance). Ground floor resident offers to provide access to water. Hoped that local members, Abi and Sandy will volunteer to water and maintain.

b. Post Box corner: Occupant of adjacent house has decided not to proceed with SusCred; will work independently with help of neighbour. Does not require advice on bee-friendly plants. Matter closed.

c. St Lawrence Green (Paul Vincent): Paul invited to meet Dee/ others along with selected local residents: no response yet. Hoped (tbc by Dee) vols will only need to do flower-beds , with MDDC maintaining paths/grass.

d. Two small plots in Westernlea area: Steve Densham thinks someone has started gardening at least one of these, but not clear who and little evidence to Dee's eye. Nicola Frost and Alison Orchard both live nearby and (pre-lockdown) had planned a door-knock to drum up local interest/l involvement.

e. Spinning Path Gardens: Good sized plot: rough grass surrounding old council soft-surface play area. Eve Malster (with help from Hannah Thomas) putting together plan to go to Town Council. Seeking permission plus funding for orchard- tree planting. According to Eve, Frank Letch supports plan.

f. Guerrilla gardening: Idea lying dormant on SusCred Facebook page; someone has recently resuscitated. Dee responded; will liaise to ensure named leader, maintenance plan, insurance etc before lending our name.

2. Sustainable Crediton TALK.

Agreed need a talk ready at hand in PowerPoint format (eg: SusCred asked to speak at Morchard Bishop Gardening Club Feb 2021 tbc). Agreed John to make first draft based on his Courier article of 27/6/2020. Special focus on pollinator and seed share info for Morchard purpose.

3. Boniface Booking for Seed share Feb 2021

Agreed Dee to confirm booking, subject to continuing easing of lockdown

4. Mel Stride letter

Agreed that letter asking MS to support green and equitable recovery plan (referring to Build Back Better agenda and recommendations of Committee on Climate Change) be sent from Core Group without additional member signatures. Caroline to adapt /circulate/post.

5. Zooms / updates to garner new ideas

a. Climate Conversation with Elizabeth Wainwright was useful. Dee noted that SusCred presence x 4 raised group profile. How to tackle issues raised? John to write to Elizabeth for copy of carbon audit spreadsheet. Dee to explore national 'network' of town councils ready to share ideas on Build Back Better etc. Dee has already contacted Liz Brooks Hocking, who will restart CTC Climate & Sustainability Sub Cttee as soon as clerking/ equipment in place (hopefully tbc at CTC 7/7/2020 meeting)

b. Dee & Caroline to attend Community Larders Zoom (9/7). Sally Chapman (leader) considered knowledgeable & helpful: problems are no evident venue and no project leader. Esther agreed to seek volunteer from within Waste Group, if possible. John to continue explore whether FoodBank could participate / provide venue. Also continue to publicise via Facebook and Blog

c. John to attend Community Wealth Building 9/7/2020

6. Relaunch

Agreed to plan Relaunch combined with AGM, Covid permitting, in October.To firm up provisional date and venue at next meeting. Agreed John to approach Rob Hoskins to give presentation to draw people in. Consider inviting Mel Stride to do re-launch (is he as green as he claims?) Delay MS approach until a couple of weeks after letter (Item 4). Raise SusCred profile/ member ship via a Community Market. Maybe independent or maybe attached to a Farmers' Market? . Caroline to contact Market Cttee to explore.

7. Transition Town Network Initiative

Dee to review / update our information on the network.

8. Update on Heart of Crediton Blog

John has prepared first instalment - to be uploaded soon.

9. Provisional date of next meeting:

Monday 10th August at 10.30