Minutes from the meeting of Linlithgow Climate Challenge
Low Port Centre – Upstairs Lounge
Monday 15th February 2010 at 7.30

Present : Peter Fairweather, John Buckley, Mel McEwan, Jacquie Bruce, William Ross, Alan Brown, Dorte Gailani, Sheila Redfern, Corinne Anderson, Rose Hill, Kirsty Leonard, Dave du Feu, John Fleming, Peter Roberts, Kerstin Bonau, Elizabeth Ross, Mary MacRae.

Apologies Jenny Hammond, Tobias Bauer, Chris Mylne, George Adam.

1. Welcome
An introduction and explanation of Renewable Energy and their applications.
A very informative and well presented talk was given by Dr John Buckley putting into context the role that renewable energy resources can play in the UK and the position of Scotland in particular. Much potential as a part in tackling the energy needs in the next decade or two and the equal need to minimise energy demand.

2. Minutes and Matters Arising from 11th January 2010 were agreed with no matters arising.

3. Finance Report
The main expenses were for the salaries of £3528. Additional expenditure for energy saving audits and additional measuring instruments, £759, printing, meeting expenses £319 and orchard training £60 making a total of £4666. We remain on budget but quite tight.

4. Subgroups reports and updates
i. An over view from the Co-ordinator
January had been a busy month with much time taken up in getting the CCF submission finalised. Although the panel will be meeting in late Feb/early March, it was not expected that an announcement would be until late March, although it was hoped that if there was an indication of success then the appointment process for further part time staff could be started. There was on going meetings with WLC to encourage signing up for 10:10 and involvement with Earth Hour on 27th March at 8.30. Further energy monitors have been acquired for borrowing through the library with a small article in the Gazette.

ii. Sub-group comments
Waste - The Kitchen Canny to consider wastage is continuing at a low scale for those who wish to monitor waste in the home but unfortunately most reports were of people who are quite frugal completing the exercise rather than those who possibly contribute largely to the waste mountain.

Food - The Food event on the 20th February is well advanced with a number of outside agencies supporting with information and stall displays. Help will be needed from volunteers on the day from 1.00 to set up for 2.00. Full information is on the Linlithgrow web site. Other activities and talks are being considered for later in the year.

Renewables - The Showcase on 8th May is developing with installers and experts to answer questions about installations and feed in tariffs and grants. Three houses are required to do an exemplar project by an energy consultant prior to the Showcase, please contact Alan Brown in the first instance.
There is a fair degree of interest being shown by MSc students to develop their dissertations on aspects of renewal potential in and around Linlithgow which LCC is supporting and hopeful interesting and valuable data will be forthcoming.

Energy Saving - The response from leafleting houses In Pilgrims Hill area for energy audits and advice is low. This is also compounded by two commercial agencies also doing house to house sales pitches on insulation. Alan is going to approach them to see if a joined up approach can be developed so that the visits by LCC volunteers can engage householders in behaviour change which has been show to match any saving made through physical insulation measures.

Transport - The initial project in Springfield to develop more sustainable travel habits has been started with a map to promote the area, with visit to the Springfield Primary school as a key institution in the district. More visits to involve parent through the Parent’s Council are planned.

5. Preparations to launch “Linlithgow 2015 - A 5 Year vision”
There was a request made to respond to the draft document which has now been circulated to all members for comment by the 23rd February to allow a meeting to take the matter forward on the morning of the 26th February.

6. Future Events – updates
Food event 20th February Low Port Centre
Energy Showcase 8th May Cross House.

Both the above events had been covered in earlier discussions. The Debate at the Academy on the 1st March was mentioned as worthy of support and LCC is supporting the occasion as topical issues are going to be debated.
Support of the Marches on the 15th June needs ideas soon to go with Mel’s suggestion for food growing in supermarket trolleys. Looking for a volunteer to coordinate.
8th March Scottish Futures Forum has a debate on Low Carbon Future at Holyrood. People encouraged to attend via web site registration.
There was discussion of possible involvement in the Book Event in Linlithgow on the 29 – 31st October. Possible arrange a Sunday afternoon/evening event but need author or book to form the focus of the event. Ideas are sought.

7. AOCB
Visit to Howe of Fife Transition Town energy forum had impressed by the use of energy camera pictures and raised the issue of how we can better use our own camera.
Report from the Moderators party on Eco matters and their Minister for climate change with a publication due in April.

8. Date of next meetings – 15th March and 19th April were agreed with the AGM agreed for 17th May venue and topic to be decided.