Notes of the WAGs meeting Mon 7th July at 2pm at Jills

Present: Jill, Anne, Paula, Charles Apologies: Esther, Carolyn, Stella

1. Food Festival Feedback

In general we felt we did a good job and it was enjoyable. Lessons for next time:

• Need to make out an explanation sheet for volunteers about what goes in each bin and why as the system is not the same as at Peck & Strong and people were getting confused
• The bucket of water for rinsing the glasses on Sun was a good idea
• Need 4 to 6 volunteers at finish on Sun as this was by far the busiest time
• Should make a note of what was collected by category for our interest and website
• Need to make signs for the normal litter bins around the Square asking people not to use them but to use the Recycling Point
• Use of compostable etc. packaging had improved over 2012 and 13 but still needs more 'persuasion' of the stallholders
• Must make sure we use all the volunteers well so that they feel useful and are willing to do it again even if that means committee members 'standing back'.
• Need to pin down MDDC before the event about what will be happening to the recyclate we collect

2. Plastics Collection Sat 26th July at Peck & Strong

Arrangements for day and week before in the villages as usual. Anne will organise volunteers. Anne to remind PWS that we need 15 bags in advance at Peck & Strong for Cheriton collection. Esther to be asked to check Boniface regularly for posters and to ask to leave a supply of leaflets on the coffee table inside the main door. Esther and Jill to ensure that all posters are in place in the High St etc. and to renew if necessary Anne will be unavailable for the Sandford collection in Sept. Anne will aim to get local people to cover her with Charles as a backup if necessary. Charles suggested Anne put collections on Sandford Facebook page.

3. Exeter MRF Facility Visit

Suggested visit takes place week beginning 18th August, pref Mon 18th in the afternoon, as this suited those present. We should open it up to all the plastics helpers once the date is fixed.

Anne to fix date and email everyone with it.

4. Community Market Stall Sat 9th August

This takes place from 9am (set up) till 1pm. Charles, Paula & Anne will be there at 9am to set up. Need at least one more person to put up gazebo (needs 4). Charles will store the stall kit after the July Community Market so he has it for Aug. We will use the Sustainable Crediton stall kit plus add some recycling boxes. Paula & Charles to set up a box with all the MDDC recycling items in it. Anne to set up a box with plastic recycling items in it. Can collect suitable things at Plastic collection on July 26th. Anne to run off some recycling leaflets from website. Paula to run off some Garden recycling leaflets from website Plastics collection dates to be displayed prominently plus leaflets.

All group members not at meeting asked to come along and help if available and to let Paula know if they cannot come.

5. Pop Up Shop/Furniture Recycling Project

Furniture Recycling Potential Collaboration Jill explained the problems and difficulties there had been when MDCR (Mid Devon Community Recycling) with which she was involved shared premises with Turntable some years ago. These included difficulties over funding sources, closed client access, being picky about what they accept, problems with shared staff room and ultimately the organisation going bust. She wanted us to be aware that we needed to go into any partnership with open eyes and ask all the right questions before committing ourselves.

Jill to arrange meeting with Richard Gomme for WAGs members ASAP to have an initial exploration of what might be possible. (Update: Now fixed for 4pm Wed 16th July at Jills) Everyone to give Jill questions that they would like to ask at this meeting in advance so Refurnish can be prepared.

Pop Up Shop: Esther to be asked to contact the agents for Bonheur on Town Square to see if this is available having been recently vacated. ( Update: Esther meeting agents at premises at 9am on Tuesday 15th July. They have said potentially OK for Aug. Esther to try for early Sept if premises and cost are suitable)

6. Any Other Business

6.1 Devon Waste Plan There will be an Inspector conducting a hearing for 7 days from 14th July. Charles to attend on 15th and 16th July to hear what is going on with respect to questions asked by WAGs and to ask questions if relevant. He will report back.

6.2 Bow and Plastics Recycling: Bow are looking into starting up a collection at the Co-op Car Park. Anne will keep in touch with them.

6.3 Flowerpots at Bernaville It would seem that Bernaville had been trying to set up a recycling system for flower pots with the company doing the recycled plastic garden items they had had on sale but had been getting no response from them so have given up.

7. Next Meeting. Monday 1st September at 2pm at Esthers or Jills  (venue to be confirmed)

Meeting closed at 3.50pm