Presentations from the following:
European Centre for Environment and Human Health which is based in the Knowledge Spa Truro. Research and academics being recruited. Will have a focus on a number of areas, Toxicology, Climate & Oceans, and Clinical Photobilogy and Positive Health & Wellbeing Benefits of the Environment.
Cornwall Council presentation on Planning for Renewable Energy in Cornwall. Scary fact, in 1999 Cornwall spent £579 million on energy, this had increased to £1,124 million in 2005, with only 2-4% of income from energy retained in Cornwall. We are leaking our wealth!
Community Power Cornwall has submitted its first planning application for the installation of two community owned wind turbines, on land at Tregerrick Farm, Gorran Highlanes, Gorran. Please support.
Presentation by South West Environmental Network on priorities.
Draft Sustainable Community Strategy is now out for final consultation, deadline mid October.

Key areas of Discussion

Presentation by Haddock Consulting on Behaviour Change. It was recognised that this was a vital area of work but unfortunately the majority of the partnerships activity was suspended due to LAA reward funding cuts.

Presentation on Plug in Place bid and electric cars. Opportunity to develop electric vehicle infrastructure for Cornwall, public sector bid but could support community transport opportunities.

Green Cornwall update on various initiatives, solar array at Newquay, Biomass developments, anaerobic digestion etc. biodiversity issues discussed and AONB.

Presentation on Healthy Weight Strategy and environmental associations to health improvements and inequalities. Work in this area already being taken forward by VCS. Natural England might have to suspend its Walking for Health work due to funding cuts (shame that national body did not embed this originally with local partners!).

Future work and issues

Action plan  under developed linked to activities across Cornwall with various partnerships including environmental volunteering.

Discussions to continue to see how behaviour change activity can be implemented, perhaps through ESF.

Possible strategy workshop to take place in September/October.

• New Chair elected, Judy Proctor from Environment Agency
• Discussions continued regarding Performance Reward grant from the LAA particularly linked to the work of a communty organisation. Funding had been obtained but not as much as anticipated, further work will be undertaken to see if this can be increased.
• Cornwall Council Waste Department planning further work with VCS, particularly around a collaborative location in the Pool area.
• Strategic Action Plan being developed for Cornwall’s environment
• Sustainable Community Strategy re-fresh being undertaken, concern that it will again have a short term focus and not look at longer term challenges.
• Local Transport Plan being developed by Cornwall County, Community Transport must be included.

Ian Jones attended.

Main areas of discussion were:

• Minutes of Last Meeting
• Strategic Framework for EK’s Activities
• EKs Website
• Draft Communications Strategy
• Relationship with Cornwall Council and other Partnerships

Issues for the next meeting include:

• Work Plan and Strategy
• Mapping Member Involvement
• LAA outcomes

Issues the VCS need to respond to are:

• Invovement in Deliverying Activities within LAA Outcomes