Core Group meeting minutes 7 September 2020

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Sustainable Crediton

Core Group Meeting, Monday 7th September 2020. (Dee Ross, Esther Mann, John Craythorne, Caroline Romijn)

1. Matters arising/ pending from 6th July meeting . August meeting postponed and eventually missed due to holiday absences (and toothache in the Covid era)

a) Sus Cred Talk/ PowerPoint (John) - pending.

b) Mel Stride letter sent & acknowledged by MS, who indicated willingness to meet us. Dee had proposed that we reply to push this (Caroline) not yet done. But MS has written again to advise us of launch of Climate Assembly report ( on Parliamentary TV on 10/9/2020, and to ask us to make a submission to the Treasury Decarbonisation and Green Finance enquiry by 6 Oct 2020.

c) Climate conversation w Elizabeth Wainwright. Get copy of carbon audit spreadsheet (John) - pending

d) Community market (idea to raise Sus Cred profile) - contact Market Cttee (Caroline) - pending

e) Heart of Crediton blog - updated (John)

f) Crediton Climate and Sustainability Sub Group: Dee had contact Liz Brookes Hocking. They do plan to restart meetings but apparently need support with Zoom and with Clerking

g) Community Larder - back onto back burner as still have no lead volunteer available or agreed venue; plus matters complicated by Coronavirus.

2. AGM

Plan for live AGM with relaunch + Rob Hoskins obviously cannot go ahead.. Agreed to hold AGM by Zoom on Thursday 15th October. John to circulate info, asking for responses by 11/10. Caroline to set up Zoom event.

3. Wood Group. Update from John.

Woodland Management Group activities should restart in October, though sadly Pete Mason is unwell and Charles Mossman has left to start a new life in Ireland. John has had to take over as Coordinator; very grateful that Terry Hadley will take key role re Health and Safety. (Need clarification around use of chainsaws and insurance cover). One new member enquiry. John to meet Wendy & Robert (Moor Farm) to plan for coming season.

4. Waste Group - update from Esther

No developments to report, due to Covid.

5. Food Group. Update from Dee

Activities in abeyance except for Pig Group coordinated by Nicola Frost and Chris Downes: they have sold a batch of pigs successfully.

6. Pollinator project - updates from Dee

a. Post Box corner: Although we previously thought this project had run into the ground, it is now live again. A conversation is underway with Mark. Esther concerned that spending Sus Cred money on rebuilding wall was inappropriate. Agreed. [NB Esther mentions that we have around £1700 that can be spent on for useful projects, and Dee confirms that CTC will roll over any grant money not spent in the current circumstances]

b. St Lawrence Green: Dee still awaiting responses from latest interested parties.

c. Almshouses: Dee has sent Simon's plan: no response yet.

d. Steve Densham queries - still outstanding. Dee will write again.

e. Spinning Path Gardens- no further update yet

f. Query from Caroline - Pollinator planting/ tree planting outside the main Crediton town area/ links with villages? Dee to provide Caroline with Lapford link. Caroline to look at QE Drive and float tree planting at AGM.

g. Belle Parade - looking good: Esther, Abi and others have weeded and restocked. Hope to get picture in paper.

h. Wildflower meadow at Tesco - picture for newsletter? (link with Andrew Community Champion)

7. Cycle Racks

Delay as plans and costs under renewed discussion

8. Boniface Booking for Seed share Feb 2021

Boniface provisionally booked but looks increasingly unlikely that we can hold the Seed Share there.

9. Collaboration with other sustainability groups

Dee reports that Sally Chapman & Gill Westcott would value closer collaboration. Zoom meeting proposed.

10. Exeter area housing plan - consultation ending 30th September.

The Exeter plan includes huge developments for Mid Devon, East Devon and Teignbridge, who have all now withdrawn from the planning group. John to discuss with Gerald, and include update in Newsletter, encouraging members to write in.

NB an additional working meeting was held on 3/10/2020 to finalise