Present
Haris Livas-Dawes, Mal Dawes, Hilary Byers, David Longthorn, Stephen Noreiko, Lee-Ann Williams, Bill Rigby, Pam Green, Chrys Bavey, Matt Thomas, Hannah Jarratt, Craig Boxshall.
Apologies
Shan Oakes, Stephen Whitmore, Sue Dack, Alan Worsley
Minutes
Various misspellings of names were corrected.
Matters Arising
Hilary was investigating sending money to Sierra Leone by Paypal. Haris was writing to FOESL.
Discussion of Biofuel postponed to next meeting.
Subscriptions to
£40 subs to Resource: renewal agreed.
Magazines and Organisations/b>
Marinet: membership is free but it was agreed to give a donation of £50. Campaign on Marine Reserves Bill to start March; Bill in Queen’s speech for Oct.
Planning Bill
Craig Boxshall, Planning Policy Manager gave a summary of changes to the planning system that would result from the Planning Bill currently at the Committee stage. Wide-ranging Bill; taking out one of the consultation stages in the policy making process; proposed National Policy Statements brings in line with other countries’ systems; generally thinks the new national policy framework to be welcomed; proposed Infrastructure Planning Commission would be independent of Ministers; generally will speed up decision making and result in more open discussion. However, it is vague on Climate Change implications.
Questions: How much say for local people on major applications? Thought they would still be able to object to specific sites; didn’t think the national policies would be site specific. However agreed people would need to be quick to influence gov. policy. Who on IPC? Vague; could include community reps.
CB generally more optimistic than FOE’s Hugh Ellis.
Planning Bill Campaigning
- Sat 9th Feb stall in Princes Quay. Hilary and Lee-Ann to set up. Haris join at 10am. Steve W said will help. Bill, Pam, to confirm.
- It was decided not to try to get Hull Councillors’ signatures, but send them info based on FOE’s material.
L-AW HB HL-D SW WR PG
Update
Lee-Ann reported Leeds University to trial GM potatoes near Tadcaster. Other FOE groups esp Leeds involved. Public meeting being organised.
Lots of activity in Europe including GM trees proposed in Belgium, and ‘zombie’ seeds.
Haris reported campaign to make EU Env Commissioner Dimas oppose GM,- send him a valentine!
Incinerator
Revocation of licence not thought to be cause for celebration. Application is likely to be resubmitted.
HB, SJ
Incinerator
Find out what help Scunthorpe FOE want or when they want to meet and circulate info.
HB
Climate Change Action
Sat 5th April. Agreed to sign up for this. Discuss next month. Likely to join with Beverley group to influence ER MPs as Hull ones unlikely to deviate from party line.
24th and 25th May. Bill, Shan, Lee-Ann to go. Hannah will consider, Hilary to send her details. Agreed group to pay all expenses.
WR SO L-AW HJ HB
Correspondence
None urgent.
AOB
- Planning application for strawburning electricity generator in ER deferred.
- Booking forms and posters for Beverley Green Fair distributed.
- Meeting with Diana Johnson MP rearranged; will discuss Climate Change Bill and Marine Reserve Bill
HL-D WR
