Sustainability

Congleton Sustainability Group meeting minutes 02.07.18

Congleton Sustainability Group meeting took place recently, download full meeting minutes HERE.

Highlights include:

Plastic.

Barry’s paper was circulated to the group.

Barry felt that the main way plastics could be getting into the ocean from UK is by using the wrong recycling bin.

Garden plant pots (black) appear to be a real issue.

ANSA visit is being planned by D.McGifford PA, BF and MG will go on this. BF to put some questions to ANSA prior to the visit.

A paper to be written after the visit with a full report back to CSG.

Bob Edwards offered CTC support to the CSG campaign.

 

The Old Saw Mill.

Apple Juice and Cider
AJ stocks are very low, will continue selling through summer.
DJ drawing up a plan for a production schedule from early September.
Café
Now meeting its weekly targets.
General
GDPR action now completed.
Michelle is coordinating a membership/renewal drive
Newsletter will be out this week.
GRIPP is about 60% complete for being recognised as a Connected Communities Centre.

 

Green space / In Bloom – P.Pinto.
In Bloom
NWIB judging day 24th July, OSM included in IYN.
BIB national judging 2nd August.
OSM as IYN this year making 9 IYN in Congleton.
We will need to make further efforts around town on route before 24 July (nwib) and 2 Aug (BIB judges).
Too hot! And too dry!!

Next Meeting:- Note there is no CSG Meeting in August.
Mon 3rd September (Astbury Mere) PA confirm with Matt Axford.

Congleton Sustainability Group Meeting Minutes 17.05.18

Congleton Sustainability Group Meeting took place recently, download full meeting minutes HERE.

Highlights include:

Plastic.

MS to recirculate Ruth (Wilmslow) 20 things we can do list. Would all please review the list and feedback ideas to MS for collation and then discussion at the next meeting.

In Bloom looking to be more upfront about the issue.

GW to pull out positive data regarding Cheshire East’s home collection/ recyclables.

MS recirculate 20 things list. Al feedback ideas to MS

GW get CEBC data.

Need to get an article together for The Chronicle after the next meeting to start to raise Congleton’s awareness of this issue. Whilst what we do will be a drop in the ocean, doing nothing was not an option.

Long term this an issue we can work with our MP on.

 

Dane Valley Community Energy.
Planning application in 18/0773M
Lots of questions being asked by planners that will all need addressing before planning permission can be granted, site meeting this week.
Access to the site to get equipment down to the build is currently the biggest problem. We have 3 options that are being explored.

Neighbourhood Plan.
Plan has now ready to go CEBC for Reg 15.
Once the inspector/examiner has studied it any queries/ questions will come back to our team for action.
Looking at an autumn/September public referendum. It is felt that The partnership may have a role to play here in lifting both public awareness and participation.
DJ made a point that he is no longer involved in the River Valley Project, but that this should be part of the overall delivery plan once the NHP has been formalised.
Next Meeting:-
Mon 4th June 2018 , The Old Saw Mill ,10.00am

Congleton Sustainability Meeting Minutes 04.12.17

Congleton Sustainability Group meeting took place recently, download the full meeting minutes HERE.

Highlights include:

Neighbourhood Plan.
Monday 13th November was the last day of the 6-week consultation process. 27 responses have been sent out to the groups/chairs for assessing. The steering group will then meet to discuss the results of the consultation and add anything significant before forwarding to Cheshire East to prepare for the Regulation 15 stage.
The final stage of adoption will be a public referendum. This completed document will include a delivery plan of actions which will help some of our long-term project planning.

The Old Saw Mill.
Apple Juice and Cider production have now finished. Good sales over last two weekends plus increased supply agreements achieved.
OSM have entered the CAMRA Cider and Perry of the year competition 2018.
Amend from 6th Nov minutes, OSM will pay CSG between 30p/40p per litre for AJ and Cider, this will be confirmed and start from Jan 2018.
Connected Communities Centre application has gone into Cheshire East.

 

Cycle Path Plans.
Suzie brought a copy of her Cycling Master Plan for Congleton (1st Draft) to the meeting. This has had some amendments since production but gave a overview of work that had already been carried out and the Partnership relationship currently being built. Please let Suzie have any feedback on this document.
This was presented to Frank Jordan and Jenny Marsden (CEBC) last week, they are looking to incorporate it into their Local Transport Plan.
Currently building up evidence by carrying out traffic/ cycling surveys.
This approach fits in well with Rural Development Fund criteria and will hopefully lead to some funding support.
Suzie also advised the group that she is organising a triathlon for next spring as last year, this time including children.

 

Next Meeting:-
Mon 4th December 2017 , The Old Saw Mill ,10.00am

Congleton Sustainability Meeting Minutes 02.10.17

Congleton Sustainability group meeting took place recently, download the full meeting minutes HERE.

 

Highlights include:

Geothermal Energy in the Cheshire Basin – D.Griffiths.

Dan took us through a presentation on the science and possible benefits of geothermal energy. The Cheshire Basin has a huge resource, the same amount of energy of around 3 billion barrels of oil. Whilst Crewe sits in prime position to benefit the most there are also opportunities for Congleton and Macclesfield with heat network development stages indicated within the presentation. Temperature predictions within the base of the basin indicate a possible heat of 100C.

There is still a lot of work to be done, not least funding and partners, but if successful could result in extra jobs within Cheshire, cheaper fuel and a significant reduction in CO2. A copy of the presentation has been circulated to CSG members. Dan happy to come back to future meetings to keep us informed on progress of the project.

Item for the next agenda (Mon 6th November) Domestic Heating in the Country.

 

The Old Saw Mill.
Apple Juice / Cider / Cider Vinegar
A sheet indicating stock levels of the above was circulated at the meeting. Storage is becoming an issue and any help would be gratefully received.
DJ is visiting various businesses to try and build some regular business with them. Pricelist order form circulated at the meeting, MS raised the possibility of interest from McColls in Buglawton, DJ to follow up.

Apple waste is now being collected and used by an outlet in Somerford.
All products carry batch numbers, production and best before date information
DJ still to put together an options report on ownership etc.

 

Neighbourhood Plan.
Moved to Reg 14 today, sent out to around 700 consultees.
Copy of Jackie email for information:-
Just to let you know that we have just put the Congleton Draft Local Plan out on its Regulation 14 consultation. This lasts for 6 weeks (until the 13th November). It has been sent to 701 people who were either on the Cheshire East Council list of consultees or local Congleton groups which have expressed an interest in the plan.
A copy of the draft plan has been loaded onto the front of the Town Council Website and the My Congleton website.
Paper copies for reading at the premises have been given to the TIC and the library.
An article should be the main back page piece in the Chronicle tomorrow.
Once the comments are in the draft plan will be reviewed, changes made, then a second round of Regulation 15 consultation will take place where people can have their say.
Ultimately it there will be a referendum on whether or not to accept the plan – this is likely to take place in Spring 2018.

Next Meeting:-
Mon 6th November 2017 , The Old Saw Mill ,10.00am

Congleton Sustainability meeting minutes 4.09.17

Congleton’s Sustainability meeting took place recently, download the full meeting minutes HERE.

Highlights include:

BF Geothermal report.

BF put together a short guide to geothermal ready for this meeting including suggested questions for Dan Griffiths prior to his visit 2nd October. These were circulated prior to the meeting.

Mention was also made of the article in The Chronicle (31.8.17) by Prof John Underhill (Shell Centre for Exploration Geoscience ,Heriot-Watt Univ, where he is of the opinion that Britain’s geology could be unsuitable for shale gas.
List of Questions to be sent to D.Griffiths:-
1. How do you know that there is potential for geothermal in Cheshire East? Which parts have the potential? Confirm that this is for district heating, not electricity.eothermal in Cheshire East? Which parts have the potential? Confirm that this is for district heating, not electricity.
2. What stage are you at now? What surveys, tests or research have been done, and with what results? (CE had DECC money for a feasibility study for a geothermal district heating scheme for Crewe town centre in 2015. Has that study reported?)
3. What do you intend to do now? For example what sort of schemes are planned, what areas will they serve, when will work start and when will it be completed. What will be the extent of the schemes e.g. number of houses, kilowatt hours or other appropriate units.
4. Who will develop the schemes? Cheshire East, arms length companies, independent operators….. ?
5. Who has the rights to geothermal resources (landowners, council, government…. ) and what permissions are required?
6. Would fracking be required to improve the flow of water through the heat bearing rocks? Why would this be any more friendly than fracking for gas?
7. Would the returning hot water be free of pollutants picked up from the hot rocks, and would there be any danger to users? For example from radioactivity or radon gas or other toxic substances?
8. Confirm that access to geothermal would not give CE any power to resist fracking for gas.
9. Please discuss the energy planning of Cheshire East, and the part played by geothermal.
MS send to D.Groffiths copy in D.Brown and G.Williams

 

Badger Cull in Cheshire.

Barry asked for this to be raised at the meeting following a report in The Chronicle (31.8.17)
Currently a decision on a cull has not been made according to Natural England, and it would appear that Wildlife activist are raising the issue as a potential threat. Cheshire police indicate that they have a plan in place should a licence for badger culling be granted in Cheshire.
It was decided that PA would write to the Chronicle to be seen to support Cheshire Wildlife Trust and their stance on the matter.

 

Next Meeting:-
Mon 2nd October 2017 The Old Saw Mill ,10.00am

Congleton Sustainability meeting minutes 07.08.17

Congleton Sustainability meeting took place recently, download the full minute meetings click here.

 

Highlights include:

Neighbourhood Plan.

DJ meeting with D.McG and A Thompson to finalise document. Will create a PDF out of the document then
MailChimp out to the 650 registered consultees. Banners are being produced to advise the public that we are now at
Regulation 14 and they can have they say by logging on to the web address shown.

 

Commenting Team.
1. Seddon Development off Canal Road
PM has still to receive a response from Cllr Ainsley Arnold to the letter dated 22nd June raising issues about the low (or nonexistence)
of accommodation for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable within developments as a whole, citing this development
as the example.
(Peter has just received from Cllr Arnold to the letter sent on behalf of CSG regarding the provision of specific accommodation for the
elderly, vulnerable and disabled in developments. Much as expected it is a bland response blaming the lack of a Local Plan on not
providing such accommodation previously and claiming that now the Local Plan is in place everything will change – we will just have to see
what actually happens.)
2. CEBC Supported bus review
PM has submitted comments on behalf of CSG to the CEBC consultation on proposed reductions in supported bus services.
The key issues raised were the need to continue to provide bus services for the elderly and vulnerable and the possibility of
S106 money from developers to keep the bus services fully funded.
3. Congleton Neighbourhood Plan – Transport Group
PM attended the meeting of group chairs signing off the Neighbourhood Plan policies for Regulation 14 consultation. As part of
the evidence base PM has been asked by Andrew Thompson to produce a travel survey report based on the travel surveys
carried out on behalf of CSG to challenge developers’ transport evidence at appeal.
4. Paper on unfulfilled S106 obligations
As requested at the last meeting PM has started to prepare a paper for Cllr Brown and Cllr Williams on unfulfilled S106
obligations in Congleton related to the provision of cycling (principally) and walking routes.

 

Next Meeting:-
Mon 4th September 2017 The Old Saw Mill ,10.00am

The presentation at Eaton Bank regarding Havannah Weir

A presentation was made at Eaton Bank School of the Havannah Weir Project.

It is well worth a viewing and explains in some detail how it all work.

Once again David and Jan Green have done the town a great service.

It is also great to see the tremendous support the team have been able to generate from local business.

Congleton Sustainability Meeting 06.03.2017

Congleton Sustainability Group meeting took place recently, please download the full meeting minutes HERE.

Hightlights include:

Dane Valley Community Energy.

The scheme has a new name “Havannah Weir Hydro”.

Public meeting being held at Eaton Bank Academy , Tuesday 28th March 6.30pm.

This engagement event will both brief the public on the scheme as a whole and the opportunity to become involved in community share ownership and volunteer support to the project.

The main partners Siemens, HMK and EBA will all be in attendance and fully supportive of the scheme.

Neighbourhood Plan.

A.Thompson is planning a drop in session with each of the group chairs to through the policy detail fo their groups.

A group chairs meeting is planned for March to follow up the drop ins and sing off their documents for their teams.

Regulation 14 stage will then kick in with consultation on the document with CEBC .

Planned timetable:-

w/c  13 March 2017 draft the Neighbourhood Plan for the Regulation 14 consultation with Cheshire East, other statutory bodies and the wider local community. There is a 6 week period of consultation.
May 2017

 

(Steering Group booked 11 May)

 we review all of the responses received and consider revisions and amendments to the plan. We edit the plan and include all photographs, plans and supporting documentation.
June 2017 we finalise the neighbourhood plan, complete the statement of consultation and basic condition statement for submission to Cheshire East under Regulation 15.There is a further 6 week period of consultation.
Summer 2017 Cheshire East appoint an Independent Examiner.
Late summer 2017 The Examiners report is received and the revisions and amendments to the neighbourhood plan are considered and a decision is taken to take the plan forward to Referendum.
Autumn  2017 the Referendum is held.
Autumn / Winter 2017 After the Referendum the Plan is found sound and is ‘made’.

 

Congleton Cooperative OSM Project.

BF/MT have be working on trying to get of the OSM’s energy costs, using a large amount of Oil/ Electricity. Insulation is the major issue. PA contact Mike Rance but he could help other than suggest we contact someone in The carbon Trust.

PP advised that she has a contact for Eco Schools that does this king of work (cost around £150) she will see if he can help.

Family may be willing to sell the whole site to Congleton Cooperative, need to way up the pros and cons before spending too much more money on the building.

Flowcrete have taken OSM on board as part of their social/community support and working on improving its profile.

Bookings are still growing , we now have around 30 members registered, PA to take application forms to the exec meeting 7.3.17

Now have a bookkeeper Joanne Reeves and accountant John Davies

Annual account now moved to end of March (tax year end)

AGM will be held April / May.

Kitchen upstairs now being developed and have been gifted a disabled toilet which is currently being built.

Room Rates. New room rates and booking form being put out.

PR – Facebook followers 217 / Email 1100 (400 readers)/ Chronicle, Bear Necessities & looking at The Independent.

Signage. MS look at a “Blue” similar to play area signs off Antrobus St, and discuss fingerposts with JMac

Cycle rack. PH to design a rack to go on the front of the building

 

Next meeting: Mon 3rd April 2017 The Old Saw Mill ,10.00am

Latest news from the Old Saw Mill – Congleton

OLD SAW MILL
BACK RIVER STREET
CONGLETON
CW12 1HJ

Membership

“Many thanks to all those generous customers who have signed up to become members of the Old Saw Mill. We aim to make your membership a worthwhile experience, so in March in addition to 10% discount in the cafe we will be giving you a free cup of tea or coffee and a slice of one of Yvonne’s delicious sponge cakes on production of your membership card.We will be making a similar free offer in subsequent months so if you want to take advantage of this sign up without delay!

Click here to obtain the application form

New Events

Come and celebrate International Women’s Day at the Old Saw Mill on 8th March from 10.00 – 12.00. We believe this is the first time that this has been acknowledged in this way in Congleton.

The event will also include the launch of “The  Monthly Gift” which is an initiative where women can drop-in and receive free hygiene products. These items are expensive and still subject to VAT and the costs can be problematic for women on low incomes. Since 2010, infections have risen markedly because women use substitute materials which are not hygienic.

Volunteer
We are looking for someone with bookkeeping skills to help us to manage the day to day finances along with liaising with our accountant to prepare monthly and annual accounts. If you think you have a few hours to spare each week we would love to hear from you. Please contact Peter, Pete or Anna.
Easter Lunch

Our Xmas Lunch was so successful, we are planning to have an Easter Lunch on 16th April, so if you know of anyone who would really appreciate a hearty meal then please get in touch.
Contacting us

We hope this newsletter is reaching everyone but if you would like to contact us here are a few methods:-

Facebook :- The Old Saw Mill
General E-mail:- co-op@theoldsawmill.org
Direct E-mail and phone for Finance and Governance – peterjaston@gmail.com
and 07971805372
Direct E-mail and phone for Bookings, Café, Volunteers and Marketing – annamorrison0@gmail.com and 07738877114
Direct E-mail for Buildings, Development and Maintenance – peterjranson@btinternet.com
and 07717003847

 
Kind regards
Peter, Anna and Pete

Congleton Sustainability Meeting 6.12.17

Congleton Sustainability Group meeting took place recently, download the full meeting minutes HERE.

Highlights include:

Tour of Britain Legacy for Congleton – S Akers Smith

Suzie briefed the group on the latest developments. A handout was issued.

Active Cheshire will help to put bids together for the project.

Looking to use bear branding for the various routes – children will choose the route names.

Suzie has recently presented the idea to both the Town Council and CEPC (school heads).

May focus on one school to develop a safe route to school, as traffic free as possible as a trial.

To help build up information and assist in decision making Suzie aims to get a questionnaire out to schools around Easter.

PM/DJ to work at getting this idea into the Neighbourhood Plan and comment on planning applications making sure they link up with the new primary school planned and the rest of the cycle/ footpath infrastructure.

 

Suzie then briefed the group on her Triathlon Event planned for St Georges Day (23rd April). CSG to put in a team, MS to send the detail and application form out to the group.

Congleton Cooperative OSM Project.

Peter Ranson brought us up to speed around the OSM Project.

3 main areas being tackled:-

1. Management Structure / Framework in place Currently 3 directors on the board (PA / PR / AM) looking to include member reps on the board. Membership scheme to be worked up, this will include some form of discount on purchases from the OSM.

2. Building Development including getting the commercial kitchen up and running, aiming for completion by Easter.

3. Business plan development. Need to look at the lease, insulation, membership scheme, relationship between CSG ( Apple Juice)& OSM as a landlord/ partner, future services etc.

It was also reported that OSM has started to pay back to loan to CSG
Dane Valley Community Energy.

DVCE have applied to DEFRA for a £66K loan to fund getting all of the permissions / plans in place.

Land issues resolved, Siemens on board with wiring and equipment support as well as buying all the power the project produces.

Event being organised for 28th March at Eaton Bank Academy, aiming to attract around 200 people to

 

attend (CSG, Siemens and Partners)  PR being covered by EBA

Looking to attract members/ investors, the scheme will cost around £460k in total

Next Meeting:-          

Mon 6th March 2017 The Old Saw Mill ,10.00am