Core Group meeting, by zoom, 20th May 2021, 6.30pm

 Present, Dee Ross, Esther Mann, John Craythorne, Jeanette Brown, Terry Hadley,Crediton Town Council Representatives: Liz Brookes-Hocking, John Ross

 Apologies: Helen Tuffin, Caroline Romijn. John Ross had to leave meeting early.

 1. Matters arising from previous core group meeting

a) John R introduced Liz Brookes-Hocking, who this week was elected Chairman of the Town Council and Town Mayor. She was also elected co- representative for Sustainable Crediton. Welcome to Liz.

b) Second draft of Project Partnership Agreement - Action: John C - agreed minor alterations, to redistribute for final thoughts. Please pass any changes to John.

c) Farmer's Market. Not booked yet, still some uncertainty about Covid and possible restrictions.

Action: Dee to investigate booking a stall to publicise Sustainable Crediton.

d) Wildlife Wardens, Gill not present, will await further information from her.

e) Storage, thanks to Jeanette for arranging. Jeanette has also provided demonstration/information boards and may also have some shelves for our use.

 2. Autumn Fair 25th September

Need a name so far 'Green Fair in the Square' suggested.

Action: John C to check about electric cars/bikes for event.

Discussed publicity, wait to see Covid restrictions but need to start publicity around end of June if going ahead. Action: Jeanette to start designing a poster. Action: Dee to find out about hire of gazebos on the square.

Action: Dee to contact more of her contacts for stalls. Action: John C to contact Tim about a cookery demonstration. Action: Esther/John C to contact current SC caterers to see if they are still available for providing food and/or investigate possibility of outside caters already working in town. (Farmers Market, Christmas in Crediton)

 3. Autumn Clothes swap/Autumn Relaunch + AGM 2nd October

The Boniface centre is booked. Esther has rethought the clothes swap as difficult to adhere to restrictions, would refer to wait until next year. Need to confirm timings, if not needed all day once we know structure of event.

John C contacted Rob Hopkins for speaker not heard yet. Action: John agreed will try again but if no result will investigate Gill Westcott's contacts or Andy Gray, or Transition Towns.

Liz suggested good idea to have a plan B in case of covid. Indoor events extremely difficult in those circumstances. Could move to zoom event, could still have AGM followed by speaker.

Need to discuss plans further and what else we might have at the even e.g information about Sustainable Crediton, subjects we inform on etc. which will inform expenses needed. Possibly linking to Lottery funding application.

John noted it is now harder to get free leaflets from other organisations etc to replace older stock. Also need to discuss the key messages for publicity (post meeting note at next meeting or e-mail between?). Action: Monday 7th agreed to meet 10.00 am at Create Storage and check what we have so we can plan updating materials.

4. Pollinator Project Update

Received e-mail today from MDDC Steve Densham praising the work on Belle Parade.

Work on Newcombe's Meadow circle and rose beds progressing, workday planned. Other plot discussions in progress. Post Box Corner also doing well.

Full update at Pollinator meeting.

 5. Waste Group Update

Looking at recycling information on website with a view to updating.

 6. Food Group Update

Still planning a seed share late February 2022. Action: Dee to provisionally book Boniface center but also plan for alternative or cancellation.

7. Woodland Management & Tree Planting Update

Group has met and agreed happy to continue this Autumn. Looking for more land for planting.

 8. Treasurers Report

Auditor found. Accounts gone for checking. Funds good, Town Council grant for pollinator project and Transition Towns small grant for administration costs received.

 9. Membership of Core group

Would like to recruit more members so can expand work. Action: Dee to ask Kirsten if she would like to become involved in core group. Action: John to put recruitment post on Facebook.

 10. National Lottery Funding

Action: Jeanette to follow up as planning for future progress is established.

 11. Transport Group Update

Rapid Charging Devon is putting forward a plan for two charging point in Crediton, one likely to be for Co-Cars. Obtaining planning permission may take some time.

 12. AOB

 a) Tree-bille

Jeanette noted there is a new scheme, nicknamed 'tree-billee' - formally called the Queen's Green Canopy, to celebrate 70 years on the throne - Platinum anniversary - in 2022. Asking for people to plant a tree for this. https://queensgreencanopy.org/get-involved/communities-and-groups/ - free trees to plant this autumn - "The Woodland Trust is a partner of the QGC and their Free Trees for Schools and Communities Scheme is a great way to get involved with tree planting. Across 2021 and 2022 they have over three million saplings in tree packs, available on a first come first served basis. Information on how to apply for the free saplings will be available through the Woodland Trust website from June 2021".

 b) Land at Crediton Station

Dee outlined application to BR to use land near the railway for project to be a space where projects such as the pollinator, food and woodland groups could be supported and could enable reaching out to the community. Response from BR enthusiastic, offered another piece of land to consider. Have sent outline details to them. Costs fairly basic but could be included in a lottery bid. Action: Dee to send details to Liz.