It was great to see 32 members join us on 23rd November at the Friends Meeting House - a record attendance and always good to see some new faces.
After the formalities of the re-election of the committee and noting the handover of Membership Secretary from James to Simon, our group coordinators gave a talk about the varied work they had managed throughout the year. Their reports were circulated prior to the meeting or given as a verbal update on the day.
A few items that were noted:
- Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is planning a public consultation on its updated Climate & Nature Action Plan, and MCA are looking to work with SMDC to co-design how this will be delivered.
- We hope to be able to take a Student Placement in 2026 from Keele University, primarily to work on our marketing approach, both internally to existing members, and externally, to attract more members.
- The Nature group are always looking for more volunteers to get involved with projects.
- The Energy Group would welcome more people to get involved with the thermal camera project - helping develop a lending policy as well as helping interpret the results to people who borrow the camera. Longer term, we would like to develop a directory of local energy efficiency contractors that have been recommended by our members.
- Transport - this is not a very active group, but there is huge potential to work up proposals around the emerging County Transport Plan. If you have an interest, please do get in touch.
There was then an open forum for any member to raise items.
- Youth - how can we work closer with schools and other institutions, including sixth forms and support the promotion of careers in the Green industries?
- How to respond to the rise of climate change deniers - in Staffordshire, nationally and internationally?
The Group photo shows some of our members at the end of the meeting.