Minutes of the Renewable Energy Committe held in the Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 26 August 2010 at 6.30 pm

 

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BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Renewable Energy Generation Committee Meeting

held in the Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Bideford on

Thursday 26 August 2010 at 6.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor M L Bushell
Councillor P S Christie
Councillor Ms E L Farrington (Chairman)


South (Outer) Ward:

Councillor A T Powell

IN ATTENDANCE:    Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)

001    ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Ms E L Farrington be appointed Chairman for the year 2010/2011.

(Vote – For:  4,  Against:  0)

002    ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Bushell be appointed Vice-Chairman for the year 2010/2011.

(Vote – For:  4,  Against:  0)

003    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors P J Pester (South Ward – Civic engagement) and S E L Clarke (East Ward – Personal)

004    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations were received at this time.
005    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

No members of the public were present at the meeting.

006    GENERATION – 9 POINT PLAN

a.    Make a Microgeneration/Energy Conservation Commitment
The Chairman felt that the Council had already done this by the forming the Committee.

b.     Provide a training session for Town Councillors
The Chairman advised that she was making arrangements for Committee members to visit the largest vertical wind turbine near Combe Martin, DS     Electrical’s Green Energy Centre Open Day and a Hydro Plant.  It was also suggested that a visit to North Devon College’s eco building.

c.    Establish a Town Microgeneration Champion(s)

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and RECOMMENDED:  That Mr Sparrey (DS Electrical) be co-opted on to the Committee as a technical advisor and that Councillor Ms Farrington and Mr Sparrey be appointed as the Council’s Micro generation Champions.

(Vote – For:  4,  Against:  0)

d.    Establish a Microgeneration/Energy Conservation Fund for Community Buildings. The Chairman advised of current legislation and that of a town/parish council to advise and promote micro generation.  A letter had been received from the Rt     Hon Chris Huhne MP, Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate     Change, advising he was repealing the unnecessary restriction on local     authorities selling renewable electricity by the end of this year.  The Town Clerk advised that he had looked at the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 and town/parish councils are defined in the Act as a “local authority”.  It was agreed to await further clarification on town/parish involvement.

e.    Promote national and local schemes to local people

It was agreed that an article be placed in the next issue of the Council’s Newsletter and also draw up a list of recognized suppliers and reputable tradesmen.

f.    Influence Planning Policies
The Chairman considered this was already being done by the Council with its     planning criteria for all new buildings.

g.    Make links with Torridge District Council and Northam Town Council
It was felt that “dialogue” was the best way forward.

h.    Make links to Neighbourhood Housing and Housing Associations
The Chairman suggested making the Associations aware that grants were available.

i.    Promote our policy in the local media
The Chairman suggested liaising with the District Council’s Communications     Department and the possibility of listing all renewable energy buildings and     owners.

007    AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

The Chairman requested members to consider and bring to the next meeting the name of a building that could be considered suitable for micro generation installation.  Councillor Christie suggested Bideford Hospital and Councillor Powell suggested East-the-Water Primary School.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.15 pm.




Signature of Deputy Town Mayor:………………………….  Date:……………………..............




Signature of Chairman:……………………………………..  Date: ………………………………