TRANSITION STROUD COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting 15th February 7.00 for 7.15pm,
Imperial Hotel - Stroud
Present:, Erik Wilkinson (Chair), Sue Flook, Claire Deacon , Philip Booth, Richard Fox, Helen Royall, Lou Perry
Apologies: Simon Allen, Martin Whiteside, Paul Hofman, James Beecher
1. Decide on chair: Erik Wilkinson was supported as Chair
2. Formal introductions and Apologies: Erik welcomed everyone and all introduced themselves.
3. Minutes of last meeting, November 2015: Minutes were approved.. There was no meeting in December - and the January meeting was the open public meeting led by Sue Flook and Caroline Aistrop on the future of Transition Stroud – feedback report will be produced by Caroline and Sue soon
4. Main items
Summerfield Trust Project
Sue and Erik reported back on progress with the project. Key aims are to get the new TS Invitation Menu completed by over 250 people, to get regular financial contributions to the work of Transition Stroud and to engage a small number of companies in our work. A positive
5. Brief Updates
Events
Film – ‘Over 100 people attended the Naomi Klein film “This Changes Everything” on the 10th January. The next films are Merchants of Doubt on the 18t February and Watermark on the 13th March. The book Group that takes place on the following Sunday of each film is also well attended.
Transition Stroud and Stroud Nature – Helen now one of the Directors of Stroud Nature who are putting on a series of linked events over the summer and early Autumn. Helen discussed ideas on how Transition Stroud might work in partnership with SN – one of the major events will be on the 10th July and there is the possibility of a Transition Tent/zone which would promote TS initiatives. Also in October Helen is looking to developing a weekend of Ecohomes and Edible Gardens activities.
Website – still needing work on it. Action: Carried forward to next meeting.
SkillsGain – ‘How to Tweet your community initiative being run by James in February and March; then How to Make the Most of Your Sewing Machine and following that Growing Vegetables in Small Gardens and Servicing and Maintaining your Bicycle
Fix It For Free – the next Fix It For Free Repair Cafe will be on the 10th April from 10.30 to 4 pm (break from 12. 30 to 2pm) in Nailsworth.
Stroud Community TV - Philip invited all to the SCTV awards at the Crown and Sceptre on Wednesday 9th March at the Crown and Sceptre in Horns Road.
6. Finances – Claire outlined the finances of Transition Stroud. We have funding in some budgets that can be used to pump prime events or activities – knowing they will generate funding – e.g. Potato Day.. TS still has its reserve funding available but needs to be careful. Activities need to be looked at in terms of how effectively they promote TS and the benefits achieved. Philip made the point that lots can be done without funding - e.g. the Potato Day, SCTV etc. Need to be balanced about all this.
7. Venue and Timings –
The Imperial Hotel now the regular venue for TS meetings – and it has been booked for the whole of 2016. The view was the meetings need to be over within the two hours allocated - this would allow socialising after the meeting. View also that the meetings should start at 7. 30 and finish at 9. 30 pm. This later start would give people more time to get in from work, eat and then get to the meeting. Action to be discussed/confirmed at next meeting
8. Confirm main topic, date and time of next and future meetings:
Next meeting is Tuesday 15th March at 7. 15 for 7.30 start at the Imperial Hotel
Main topics: Summerfield Contract and Partnership with Stroud Nature
Erik Wilkinson
March 2016