APPENDIX D to Middlesbrough S Climate Change Community Action Plan

APPENDIX D to Middlesbrough’s Climate Change Community Action Plan

Report on:

“Middlesbrough’s Environment – sustaining a good quality of life” A Middlesbrough Partnership Stakeholder Conference

20th November 2003 Middlesbrough Teaching and Learning Centre

Contents Page

Section 1. Conference Report 2 1.1 Background 1.2 Aims of the Stakeholder Conference 1.3 Presentations 1.4 Workshops 1.5 Next Steps 1.6 Thanks Section 2. Notes from Workshop Sessions 7 2.1 New Energy 2.2 Saving Energy 2.3 Improving Transport 2.4 Reducing Waste 2.5 Coping with the Weather Section 3. Results from Feedback Forms 11 Section 4. List of Invitees 13 Section 1. Conference report

1.1 Background Climate Change is the largest environmental issue facing communities in the UK at present, which threatens to impact on everyone’s quality of life. By tackling climate change, communities can improve their quality of life now in many ways as well as helping to safeguard the quality of life for future generations both in the UK and across the globe.

Middlesbrough is a town committed to tackling environmental issues to improve quality of life for everyone, a fact demonstrated by Middlesbrough being one of four UK towns to be designated as an “Environment City”.

In November 2002, The Mayor of Middlesbrough with the support of Middlesbrough Council and the Middlesbrough Partnership signed a local government declaration on Climate Change, that commits Middlesbrough to preparing a Community Action Plan to tackle both the causes and effects of Climate Change.

A draft framework of the Climate Change Community Action Plan has been produced following discussions with key partners and community representatives and consultation on this document has been ongoing since July 2003.

As part of the consultation process, the Middlesbrough Partnership undertook to host this Stakeholder Conference.

1.2 Aims of the Stakeholder Conference  To continue to raise awareness about climate change  To demonstrate how tackling climate change can improve the quality of life for the residents of Middlesbrough  To gather general comments and ideas to feed into the final action plan  To gather specific comments on how to implement certain actions and projects which have arisen from the consultation so far.

1.3 Presentations The first half of the morning was given over to a range of presentations to introduce the topic of climate change at a global and local level and to give examples of some of the local action that can be taken to tackle climate change. The following table summarises the topics covered (copies of the presentations are included separately). Speaker Topic Summary Cllr Barry Coppinger , Introduction Cllr Coppinger welcomed the Councillor for the delegates and explained the theme Environment and Public of the conference and how it related Protection to Middlesbrough’s plans on climate change. Antony Turner, Director “We Share the air – Antony gave a global overview of of CarbonSense from global to local” what air is, how we are altering the air around us, how this will change life and weather on Earth and how we need to start thinking about carbon as the currency of the future if we are to tackle climate change. Jim Gillon, “Local Action for Jim outlined the local impacts that Environmental Protection local benefit” will be felt in Middlesbrough from Officer, Middlesbrough changes in the weather change, how Council communities can respond to this, what benefits will come from tackling climate change and how Middlesbrough is planning to ‘do its bit’. Daniel Ludgate, Local “Saving Energy on Dan introduced the work of Tees and Authority Support Teesside” Durham Energy Advice and gave a Programmes,Tees & summary of projects, grants and Durham Energy Advice advice they deliver. Mark Fishpool, Director, “Community Action Mark outlined the role of Middlesbrough for a better Middlesbrough Environment City in Environment City environment” promoting environmental and social improvement to residents in Middlesbrough, using examples of cycling and composting projects. Bob King, Introduction to Bob introduced the five workshop Environmental workshops topic areas and invited delegates to Sustainability Co- sign up to whichever they chose. ordinator, Middlesbrough Council

1.4 Workshops The second half of the morning was given over to workshops, where attendees signed up to one of five workshop groups to discuss. The intended outputs of the workshops were to:

. Get stakeholders thinking about the sorts of schemes, projects, actions they feel should be done to tackle climate change and improve Middlesbrough’s environment under the theme of the group. . Discuss in more detail some of the main issues that arise from an initial brainstorming exercise, introducing specific ideas or actions in each area that have arisen from the public consultation so far. . Collect stakeholder views on all discussion points and actions, regarding effectiveness, likely support and opposition, ways to deliver and so on.

The workshops were structured along the following lines: 1. Brainstorming session, to generate a pool of suggested actions. 2. From the pool of ideas, the group selected few key topics were selected for more in depth discussion, considering the following sorts of questions:

 Gut feelings about the topic area/scheme – like it or not?  How effective will it be? How can it be made more effective?  Should this area be a priority?  Will there be any opposition to work in this area and if so how to get around it.

The table below summarises the outputs from each workshop, as presented in the plenary session, as well as the points raised in discussion. Complete sets of notes from the workshop sessions are included below in Section 1.

Workshop Attendees Summary of outputs New Energy Jim Gillon (Facilitator)  Very keen on wind Sarah Ross (Scribe) turbines attractive – ‘beacons’ Katherine Boustead lead to employment Carly Weeks  Householders can act through Antony Turner solar water heating Paul Taylor green electricity Dennis Lane Saving Dan Ludgate (Facilitator)  Advice/info must get into homes by Energy Sharon Bassan (Scribe)  community groups etc. William Guthrie  planning and design Arlene Walton  needs maintained, continuous George Walton message Martin Harvey  local presence; local relevance Les Broomhead  involve young people Alan Jones LSP + ownership at all levels Improving Alistair Bolton (Facilitator)  Improved infrastructure needed Transport Lisa Anderson (Scribe)  long-term Steve Binks  Public transport Tom Glasper  need to ensure needs are met Ken Carney . might need support from local Peter Purvis authorities George Hopkins  need to tackle the whole problem Martin Peagam . social implications Kevin Wilkins  Involving young people

Reducing Peter Gregory (Facilitator)  Things we can do now include Waste Haleem Ghafoor (Scribe)  Recycling Karen Lapsley Peter Cookson  Planning Jeanette Walker  Changing attitudes Maelor Williams  Recycling champs – council actions Ian Bruce Sarah Dickinson  Green waste Janet Taylor  Purchasing recycled materials Tee Liburd Ken Sargeant Gareth Kane Mark Fishpool Coping with Colin Atkinson (Facilitator)  Physical actions the Weather Peter Kettlewell  surface water drains Lesley Rigg  becks – rubbish; culverts Dennis Gregory  flood defences Martin Coleclough  Education Kenneth Mendum  take ‘carbon sense’ into schools Miilicent Mendum  reducing rubbish problem Dennis Taylor  community action

Plenary Whole conference  So much going on that individuals are Discussion not aware of  Housing at Middlehaven  No ‘young people’ here  perhaps have separate session . > work with Youth Parliament  Household collection of cans and glass trial in Redcar and Cleveland four local authorities working together

Lunch followed, with a presentation of the Environment Agency’s video “Flood PACT: parishes and communities together”, which demonstrated the way that communities can act together to limit the impact of flooding.

1.5 Next steps This report will be sent to all invitees of the conference and presented to the Middlesbrough Partnership at the next available opportunity. The outputs generated, along with all other comments collected during the consultation period for the Climate Change Community Action Plan, will be compiled into a report which will form the basis on which a final Climate Change Community Action Plan will be developed, hopefully by Spring 2004.

1.6 Thanks Many thanks must go to the Middlesbrough Partnership and for hosting and organising the conference, all the speakers for giving their time and effort to provide stimulating presentations, the workshop facilitators and note-takers for the smooth running of the workshops and above all to the delegates for making the day the success it was.

Section 2. Notes from Workshop Sessions

2.1 New Energy

The brainstorming exercise highlighted most forms of renewable energy that are currently feasible (solar, wind, hydro, wave, hydrogen, human power, biomass). The group chose to discuss in detail wind energy and measures that individual householder could get involved in.

Wind Wind energy was the main topic of our discussions, and thought to be the most important new energy source that Middlesbrough could use.

 12 turbines will produce at least 10% of Middlesbrough’s annual electricity consumption.  Need to be placed in built up areas to improve derelict land, rather than on green field sites.  Wind farms can be a tourist attraction, as demonstrated in Norfolk.  A request from community councils for wind turbines would be a strong message to the Council  Produce a dual effect, both visual and practical.

Questions then asked were :  How can money be freed up?  Will the council support placing them on Middlehaven, Tees corridor site (this is a very windy area)  Will more people be for them than against them?

Household measures: Green Electricity  From renewable sources  Cost is comparable to regular electricity  Need incentives – Awards, certificates  We need to push the ‘feel good element’ as money saving will not be supporting us.  Use existing sources eg. Npower.  Middlesbrough Environment City would be willing to run a promotional campaign on switching to green electricity, which could be arranged to coincide with the announcement that Middlesbrough Council is getting its electricity from green sources

Solar water heaters  £2000 per household grants available exclusive prices, will give hot water all summer, spring & fall not full consumption.  Self install kits for solar heating save up to £1000  Partner up with already existing companies to promote solar water heating.  It would be better and more successful to get local individuals and apprentices trained up to install these, as part of a Solar Club (which have been successful elsewhere in the country).

2.2 Saving Energy Workshop

The main points which came up in this particular discussion group were that there seems to be a breakdown of communication between organizers and the public, what we mean by this is that there is a wide variety of grants and funds available for ways for people to be more energy efficient in both homes and businesses, but few people really know about them. The discussion resulted in the idea that there should be a strong, consistent, maintainable message which is also understandable to be widely voiced to the public to make the subject of energy efficiency as advertised as possible. Local Authorities need to communicate directly with the public a lot more on this subject and generally promote healthy living and sustainable energy as much as possible.

Ideas which then came from this general idea were things such as:

 Advice/information needs to be in the hands of :  Community council  Voluntary + Community groups – VDA  Neighbourhood management  Community centers.  Home visits for people who can not access services through other means.  Reinforce the cost benefits of energy efficiency.  Locally relevant promotions and campaigns over long term.  Engage young people on the subject of energy efficiency.  Weight of LSP needs to be used to influence policy, and to encourage top down approach.  Encourage Households and businesses to be more energy efficient  Long term goal – to change peoples lifestyles to incorporate energy efficiency (car sharing etc.) 2.3 Improving Transport Workshop

The workshop proved to be very profitable in the sense that it did not become ‘a blame it on the local authority’. The general feeling was that a lot of people do not understand the constraints that the local authorities have to work under. Given below are the results of workshop on improving transport.

Cycleways  general improvements to routes School buses available  council to subsidise  more provision of cycle parking  keep children off the streets  encourage workplaces to disturbing others provide parking facilities  encourage workplaces to Better bus services provide showers etc  service should be a public services not run for profit Community Transport  services should go into estates  Improve community transport to at all times of the day provide better linked which are not provided by public transport  cheaper fares in general  subsidise cheaper bus fares from increase in car Footpath Links  parking charges  better links to promote walking Sustainable development - Light Tram System more priority given to local  to cover a wider area shopping centres  with subsidised fares  change in work patterns  links to health/local economy Water transport  use the natural resource to Travel Plans provide transport links  encourage all work places to  Provide second Tees crossing to have give better linkages across the  continue to promote with schools river Car tax Better rail links  introduce one person tax  to rural areas  tax on emission above a certain  to football stadium/hospital level 2.4 Reducing Waste Workshop

The following issues were raised as suggestions of how to reduce waste in Middlesbrough.

 A blue box for door stop collection  Councils to publish its outcomes /  Using a 2/3 wheely bin system??? results to public; (negative)  Policy – to provide support for  Initial / future planning of housing community groups (recycling – e.g. to incorporate multiple bins. credits)  Potential recycling sites at  Piloting community junk job days; supermarkets  Green waste – possibility for  Culture change and education collection rounds  Review distance – access to fixed  Make a policy to get rid of carrier recycling facilities bags or charge for them.  Pilot community / school initiative  Councils purchasing policy to with incentive – working with all specify recycling materials and sectors i.e. community councils minimum packaging;  Recycling champs; - through  Smaller wheely bins to encourage support and guidance; - recognition waste minimisation

2.5 Coping with the Weather Workshop.

The discussion on this subject was centred around one main question. What can be done to help people in Middlesbrough cope with climate change? Some of the main responses/topics which came from this are:

 Better maintenance of rivers  Enforcement is needed to stop  Building more efficient homes to people dumping in the becks and reduce energy teach them the effects of dumping. consumption/sustainable energy  Schools should educate students schemes more on climate change by putting  Have new buildings designed to it in the curriculum, engaging withstand effects of climate change parent teacher groups etc. in the future.  General awareness raising in and  Young people should be also around individual communities. involved outside of school in climate change activities.

As well as improving buildings and making costly flood defences it is essential that people are educated about climate change and the devastating effects it will cause to the planet and lives of generations to come. Raising people’s awareness of this topic is the only way to prevent it. Section 3. Results from feedback forms

MIDDLESBROUGH PARTNERSHIP STAKEHOLDER CONFERENCE 20th November 2003

SUMMARY OF EVALUATION FORMS

Total delegates = 56 Evaluation Forms returned = 38

1. How interesting did you find the first session, "We share the air"? 25 Very Interesting 13 Interesting 0 OK 0 Not very 0 Not at all

2. Did the first session make climate change seem relevant to you personally? 0 Not at all 1 a little 12 relevant 24 very relevant

3. Was the level of the first session 0 Too complicated 7 just understandable 30 about right 0 too simple?

4. Please give your general comments of first session  I understand now, why it is  Informative, thought provoking – important made me want to do more &  Good points, well made encourage others to do the  Very good x 4 same  A few more examples of how to  Excellent – a good opener – reduce carbon emissions could we have a reading list would have been useful please? (Kevin Wilkins, Tees  Too much focus on global issues Valley Tomorrow) – not what we can do  Very thought provoking x 5  Variety of speakers, subjects &  Very interesting, informative x 2 content was excellent and  A very good summary of the interesting issues and organisations  Very instructive trying to address them  Very informative and well  Excellent presented, gave me a greater  Interesting and made me aware awareness of the issues on a of problems that will face the global sense world in the years to come  Useful introduction  Very thought provoking – carbon  Enlightening and instructive game very good  Really useful session targeted at  An enthusiastic and articulate an easy to understand level speaker who brought the issue  Excellent way of giving the big home picture  Needs to be in lay mans  First class language  Plenty of information

5. After today, do you understand better why climate change is important? 0 Not at all 3 a little 34 much better

6. How useful did you find the workshop discussion? 30 Very useful 7 Useful 0 Poor

7. What part of the day did you find most useful / interesting?  Workshops x 17  All of it x 10  Local information  First session x 5  Workshop feedback (x 3)– lots of common solutions to be acted on  Talking to people from different groups  Half day is ideal length – can give time readily and doesn’t drag on  All valuable and interesting. Shame we ran out of time for discussion  All was useful and interesting the workshop was brilliant and will be useful for me to impart to people I know

8. What part of the day did you find least useful / interesting?  Workshop outputs  None – all useful x 27  Most of the day was interesting – each session had its own merits Section 4. Conference Invitees

First Name Last Name Organization Name 20/11/03 Nina Abu-Hamdeh WEA Lisa Anderson Middlesbrough Council Pauline Armstrong North Ormesby 2001 apologies Colin Atkinson Environment Agency Sharan Basson Middlesbrough Partnership Steve Binks Middlesbrough Council Cllr S Biswas Middlesbrough Council apologies Alistair Bolton Middlesbrough Council Katherine Bowstead Middlesbrough Council Omar Brahimi Abu Bakr Business Centre Les Broomhead Going for Green Ian Bruce Nunthorpe Parish Council Cllr David Budd Middlesbrough Council Ken Carney West Mbro Community Councils Martin Coleclough Middlesbrough Council Peter Cookson Marton West Community Council Cllr Barry Coppinger Middlesbrough Council Sarah Dickinson Forum for the Future Jeff Duffield Middlesbrough Council Mark Fishpool Middlesbrough Environment City Haleem Ghafoor Middlesbrough Partnership Jim Gillon Middlesbrough Council Tom Glasper PHAB Peter Gregory Middlesbrough Council William Guthrie St Hildas Community Council Lynne Hammond Community Environment Forum Shanaz Hanif Azaad Alf Hannaford North M'bro Community Councils apologies Audrey Hannaford Southfield Community Council apologies Martin Harvey Easterside Partnership George Hopkins North Ormesby 2001 Graeme Hull Environment Agency Diane Hunt Learning & Skills Council apologies Martin John Environment City Ron Johnson Environment Agency Alan Jones TADEA Gareth Kane University of Teesside John Keelty Sure Start apologies Peter Kettlewell Middlesbrough Council Yasmin Khan WEA Diversity Project Bob King Middlesbrough Council Dennis Lane Coulby Newham Community Council Karen Lapsey West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust Tee Liburd Middlesbrough Council Daniel Ludgate TADEA Mr Luft Abu Bakr Mosque apologies Maharani Malik Black & Minority Ethnic Com Network apologies Peter McConnell Kader Community Council apologies Cllr John McPartland Middlesbrough Council apologies Millicent Mendem North Ormesby Kenneth Mendem North Ormesby Marion Milburn Health & Wellbeing Forum apologies David Milburn Beckfield Community Council apologies Joan Mulrine Middlesbrough Council apologies Babir Noor BECON apologies Pam Ovington Middlesbrough Partnership Martin Peagam Middlesbrough College Peter Purvis Thorntree Community Council Lesley Rigg Marton Community Council Sarah Ross MVDA K Sargeant Southfield Community Council Debra Stoddart Middlesbrough Council Mr Taylor North Ormesby Community Council Mrs Taylor North Ormesby Community Council Paul Taylor Middlesbrough Environment City Bill Thompson Middlesbrough Street Wardens Neil Thompson Business Link Tees Valley apologies Claire Tupling Middlesbrough Partnership apologies Rev Graham Usher North Ormesby Church Jeanette Walker South M'bro Community Councils Mr Walton North Ormesby Community Council Mrs Walton North Ormesby Community Council Chris Watson Groundwork Middlesbrough apologies Carly Weeks Middlesbrough Council Kevin Wilkins Tees Valley Tomorrow Cllr Maelor Williams Middlesbrough Council Peter Williams Acklam Community Council Colin Wilson Youth Offending Service apologies