Minutes of the Greener Meeting 5th December 2019, Mackie Academy

In Attendance:- Sandra Davidson (TRAM/MAP) (SD) Ian Hunter (KDP) (IH) Raymond Christie (SDCC) (RC) Crawford Paris (East Grampian Coastal Partnership) (CP) Susan Astell (NKRCC) (SA) Nigel Astell (NA) Mark Gracy (MG) (AC) Paul Melling (PCC) (PM) Ken Watson (KW) Cllr Sarah Dickinson (SDi) Alix Gunn Mike Wilson (MW)

Apologies Mike Perks (?) Cllr. George Carr Alison Evison

Welcome

Ian Hunter as Acting Chairperson welcomed the attendees. The Minutes of the 19.9.19 meeting were accepted as a true record.

Aberdeenshire Council Initiatives –

Anti Litter Stencil Cllr Dickinson informed the group about some stencils that have been made up to apply markings to drains. Examples of messages – ‘The Sea Starts Here’ and seahorse symbol. Idea is that these will act as a deterrent to people littering in drains. There has not been an opportunity to try these out yet but it is planned that some will be trialed in the coming months. These have been made up for ; however, Cllr Dickinson is happy to share if people are interested.

The stencils were well received by the group.

Mark Gracy also advised he will be speaking to local pubs and licensed premises regarding cigarette littering outside their premises and their unwritten obligation to keep frontages clean.

Circular Economy Cllr Dickenson advised of Council’s pledge to circular economy. Advised that at the last full council meeting the charter was agreed. This means the council is committed to sustainability and not creating waste / maximising resources where possible. There is a charter on the website available – framework applies to schools, leisure centres. Example was given of cups for vending machines being recyclable if possible.

● Cllr Dickinson to circulate a copy of the charter

Council Recycling MG advised recycling collections will move to 3 weekly. Pilots underway in (since June 2019), & (since beginning of Sept 2019). Reports are positive – increase in food waste and recycling and small decrease in landfill and no major issues.

3 weekly collections will start to be rolled out April 2020 across the region for recycling and landfill. Food waste will still be collected weekly.

IH asked if we will receive a smaller landfill bin. MG advised no. Additional recycling bins and food waste bins are available by contacting council on the waste line.

Susan Astell – has been asked to ask what happens to the recycling currently – where does it go (some comment that it may go abroad)? MG advised it mainly goes to Central belt – the plant is similar to the one in City.

Mike Wilson - asked if there are any plans to use the Aberdeen City plant – MG advised no

Paul Melling - there were questions raised at the last Community Council meeting regarding this and asked if MG could respond. MG advised he is working on this.

PM also brought up concerns raised about restrictions to trailers / vans for waste when it is household waste. MG advised this is relating to new permits that will be coming into effect. All information is on the website in questions and answers section. In response Cllr Dickinson explained there had been a consultation process and concerns have been taken into account. Once this system is underway feedback will be considered; however, the decisions have been made on this.

Greener K&M Involvement in Climate Week 2020 Discussion regarding potential involvement in Climate Week 2020 (20th-29th March 2020) IH advised he has not been able to contact Mill of Benholm, however has since become aware the Casper Lampkin is involved in the Permaculture Project and he wondered if Tangleha may host an event. Sandra Davidson noted that 2020 events may already be arranged and the group may be better placed to focus on publisising existing events. IH advised members of the group should be encouraged to look into Permaculture Project and Tangleha in general.

IH asked if anyone was aware of any events. Crawford Paris advised there is a beach clean on 29th at Blackdog at 10am, which is a registered event. He suggested he could hold a beach clean on the Saturday in Stonehaven under the Greener K&M group. CP advised full details of all events can be found on CWNE website.

SD suggested Plant a Tree day may fall within Climate Week and suggests there is an opportunity to organise something then (if trees are received)

● IH to contact Climate Week organisation wrt 2021 for possibility of event

● IH to contact Casper Lampkin to invite to future group meeting

Big Climate Conversation Report SD reported to group on the outcome of the Big Climate Conversation event held on 28th October. There were 8 attendees plus SD as facilitator and format of workshop was to go through the pack provide by Scottish Government. Closing date for funding for workshops was 31st October and all workshop reports needed to be submitted by 14th November. SD has contacted to see if a consolidated report is available but nothing yet.

SD suggested to group that her report be circulated (the full content will not be included). There was discussion about this (concerns of either providing a lack of information or providing too much information for general public to digest). SD advised alternative is to wait until consolidated report is available and to issue that instead. KW suggested full information is provided and people can decide. Outcome of discussion as follows:

SD to circulate the full pack and her report to members of Greener K & M group and then once the Scottish wide report is released that can be sent out to the wider public.

SD advise additional topic was discussed at end of workshop (local food) – ranging from plastic- free food to agri-forestry. SD suggested might want to consider edible food trail in Stonehaven. 4 already in Aberdeenshire (Portlethen, , , ). SD is prepared to approach the original edible trails committee and someone from Stonehaven Horizon group.

● SD to approach Horizon group ● IH or Raymond Christie to add to agenda on future SDCC meeting (January 2020) to gauge enthusiasm/ gain community support

Plant a Tree on International Day of Forests SD advised 3 packs of trees have been awarded to the group by the Woodland Trust and locations / groups are required for planting. If enough sites cannot be found then we may need to go back to Woodland Trust to ask for less trees.

● SD to send info to the group regarding the trees ordered and criteria for planting

● All members of the group to contact SD with sites / numbers of trees by end January at the latest

KW advised he is chair of a group that has also applied for trees and are speaking to schools and other organisations offering trees and help with planting (e.g. as part of edible trail).

Promotion of Fair Trade Fortnight (24/02/20-08/03/20) IH suggested using local radio (Mearns FM) and the Bellman to promote Fair Trade fortnight. This was supported by the group.

Stonehaven Community Orchard RC provided a report on the recent event to plant the Stonehaven Community Orchard. Council dug the holes. Selection of eating apples, cooking apples and cider apples. RC reported it was a good event. Location is near Cowie bridge. Horizon group were very involved. Should produce apples in a couple of years’ time. RC reported there would be room for more trees (possible site for Woodland Trust trees).

‘Vitamin Sea’ Screening Report Crawford Paris reported on the recent screening of the film at Stonehaven Town Hall. This was organised by Charlie Barrow, a local school teacher. Film was about a Surfers Against Sewage rep who set out to be the first person to paddleboard from Land’s End to John O’ Grouts to help raise awareness of plastic pollution. Attendees/contributors included CP, Charlie Barrow and Amy Barclay SAS), Thomas Truby (Rubbish Club). CP explained Thomas Truby is a young boy who has started a litter picking club.

CP also advise he spoke about his project ‘Turning the Plastic Tide’ and that the project which is now into the second year and highlighted the types of activities. The target for the two years was to meet 200 people and have reached almost 2500 and collected over 23.5 tonnes. The event was considered a success.

PM reported he was so impressed with the Rubbish Club initiative that he has invited Thomas Truby to a Community Council meeting and has also spoken to the local school about it.

‘Hot Water’ PM advised that this item is related to an article about the change of temperature of the sea and melting ice caps and the issues this causes for the climate. PM advised he prepared some leaflets but has misplaced them.

Other Matters not on Agenda SD – raised possibility of future online meetings (due to issues with travel/public transport). For members to investigate. Possibility of using a laptop and speakers or some conference call facility.

KW reminded members about Portlethen edibles trail and encourage members to visit. There are plans to expand.

Events – Beach Cleans are organised on the following dates: 7th December – Newburgh Seals Beach – 1pm 5th January 2020 – Stonehaven Beach – 1-3pm

Relevant Websites / Links

Aberdeenshire Council Waste Line: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/waste/recycling-and- waste-contact/ Climate Week 2020: https://www.climateweekaberdeen.org/ Mill of Benholm: https://nespt.org/portfolio/mill-of-benholm/ Permaculture Project: https://www.permaculture.org.uk/contact-details/caspar-lampkin Tangleha info: https://www.permaculture.org.uk/education/venue/tangleha-house-st-cyrus- montrose-angus-dd10-0dq Fairtrade Fortnight: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/en/get-involved/current-campaigns/Fairtrade- Fortnight The Rubbish Club: https://www.facebook.com/pg/therubbishclub/about/?ref=page_internal