Climate and Community Action Working Group (CCAWG)

Climate & community action working group meeting

5th February 2024, 4-5pm, MS Teams

Attended: Les Gunbie, Mita Patel, Simon Maxwell, Maria Antoniou, Steve Peake, Athol Halle, Mark Earthey, Martin Harris

Optional: Keely McDonald, Nicky Lumb, Magda Pasiut, Amelia Lupson, Melanie David-Durand,

Apologies: Neil Younger, David Allen, Julie Harris, Kirsten Firth

Chair: Athol leading (Maria co-chair)

Notes from the meeting

Welcome, introductions and actions since previous meeting

We began by discussing the proposed BHCC budget savings, which may affect membership and functioning of this group. The proposals include restructuring of the Sustainability team and reduced funding to the VCS, as well as cuts to environmental education. We will update and discuss at the March meeting, following decisions at Budget Council on 22nd Feb.

Mark E: 6 members of the Saltdean Climate Action Network have attended Energy Champion training from Energise East Coast. They’ll be delivering energy advice in East & West Saltdean, and Mark will be delivering advice in Rottingdean & Ovingdean. Mark has been invited to a parliamentary meeting on community energy. Mark is concerned about the council proposal to reintroduce gylsophate use in the city to tackle weeds. Mark says there are 3 alternatives and urged people to contact their ward councillor.

Simon: Has written 3 articles on climate change since our last meeting. There is another Climate:Change event scheduled for 29th February – free tickets available. The theme will be food, delivered collaboratively with the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership. Simon reported back that we had a good sub group meeting about waste minimisation and circular economy, chaired by Les.

Les: Hanover Action held an event on water, which also had a glysophate element. Tim Rowkins attended as ward councillor. Les informed everyone that there was a paper on climate risk, specifically flood risk, going to committee tomorrow. Les reported back on the Climate South East meeting he attended, along with others, which was an opportunity for climate action groups to join up. He also spoke about the proposed budget cut to the Our city, our world programme for schools, which will affect delivery of climate education to children and young people. There is a campaign against this being planned.

Mita: Spoke about the climate adaptation paper that Les mentioned, which she and the team have been drafting over the past year. Mita has briefed cllrs Muten and Rowkins before it goes to committee. Mita would like to bring the paper to this group. Mita has been having further meetings about waste minimisation and circular economy, and also attended a meeting about food strategy refresh. Mita said that biosphere work is unlikely to be affected by the budget. Simon asked if we can see draft papers earlier so we have a chance to comment on them.

Action: Mita & council team to consider sharing drafts with this working group, where possible.

Martin: A 10 year review of the Biosphere has been undertaken and a strategy is being produced for the next 10 years. Priorities are protecting the natural landscape, education and involvement, and improving understanding. Martin linked this work to economic development and tourism, talking about efforts to be as sustainable as possible across these areas. Martin said the Biosphere project is looking to be self-sustaining in the future. There is a proposal to expand the Biosphere area to the whole of Lewes and Adur, instead of just parts of these areas. The aquifer partnership has been difficult because of reduced staffing. Martin can have conversations about how the biosphere can help if Our city, our world funding is cut.

Steve: Waiting to hear from the National Lottery Community Fund regarding application from Brighton & Hove Climate Alliance. Hoping to have a response within the next couple of weeks. Also have a few more funding applications pending decisions. Tech Takeback is folding because not enough people are using the retail outlet. Synergy may take over the lease and run it as a climate hub/ climate action centre with an Awards for All application to get this set up. Steve attended the South East Climate Alliance event and was interested to see what other climate hubs are doing – mostly repair cafes, library of things… Steve is collecting ideas to see what other things are possible in Brighton & Hove. He asked if we could put this on the agenda for a future meeting

Action: Maria & Athol to add climate hub to a future agenda

Maria: Continuing to work on Investors in the Environment accreditation to reduce Community Works’ carbon footprint. Have set up a Green Group with staff and reps and held first meeting. We will need to do a community project as part of the bronze accreditation. Hope to align with what’s already going on within the city.

Waste & circular economy sub-group

Les gave an update on this meeting, which some of the group attended.

Mita said there is so much that’s already going on in the city – that isn’t necessarily labelled as circular economy - that could be showcased by the campaign. Les said that schools are also working in this area and agreed that it was good to showcase what’s already happening.

Steve said it was a good meeting, though there wasn’t much time to attend to the detail. He wondered if we should be looking to add campaign activities to the Lottery application budget. Steve also said he’d like to see more flow of information between meetings.

All agreed that it would be a good idea to get participants together in a room ‘workshop style’ with a flipchart, to shape the campaign. Simon suggested we get Sarah Springford / Brighton Chamber involved.

Action: Mita / Julie to invite Sarah to the next meeting.

Action: Julie to consult on dates for the next meeting.

Decarbonisation Pathways Project

This item was postponed as Kirsten was not able to attend.

Action: Maria / Athol to carry this over to the next meeting.

Meeting with councillors

Athol reported that this will be on 18th March. We discussed who would attend: all of the community representatives on this working group, plus council officers who want to attend.

What will be discussed: community engagement, information flow e.g. community consultation at an early stage so we can be as helpful as possible.

Simon asked if we can involve Cllr Ty Goddard who is leading on economic development.

Action: Athol to liaise with councillors’ PA on attendees and agenda.

AOB and date for next meeting

Date of next meeting scheduled for Monday 4th March 2024, 4-5.30pm