INVITED: Bill, Fiona (Secretary), Helen, Jules, Laura (Treasurer), Lynn, Sally, Sue (Chair), Suzanne
PRESENT: Bill, Fiona (Secretary), Jules, Laura (Treasurer), Lynn, Laurie (guest), Philip (guest)
1 – Welcome
In Sue’s absence, the committee appointed Jules as chair of the meeting. This was the first meeting in the community library.
2 – Apologies
Sue, Suzanne and Helen
3 – Matters arising
Lynn reported that two projects TDEG was supporting had been successful in bidding for grants from the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Wild Peak programme. A woodland accessibility improvement project at Tideswell Community Park with Bishop’s Pursglove School and enhancements to the Tideswell Kitchen Garden for the Nature Tots group. More details had been reported in the members’ newsletter. The funds would be paid to our partners, not the TDEG bank account.
4 - Hon officers' reports
a – Chair’s report
Sue had informed us that she was happy to learn that Allen was interested in joining the committee and it was agreed that he should be invited to observe the next meeting. Action: Secretary to invite Allen to the next committee meeting as an observer.
b – Secretary’s report
Membership has risen to 190, and facebook followers has increased 16 to 473. These rises were mainly due to interest inspired by the new Rivers and Brooks Group. There had been fewer emails to info@tdeg.org.uk, and Fiona was continuing to check and forward/respond about twice a week.
c –Treasurer’s report
TDEG has a grand total of £4,197.34 of which £1,500.75 is currently allocated as unrestricted whole group funds (i.e. isn’t ear-marked for any specific project). £250 of that is the CPRE inspiring groups award.
As Andrea had left the committee, it was agreed that her name should be removed as a bank account signatory and Fiona would be added. The other signatories are Laura and Lynn. Laura had previously announced she was stepping down at the next AGM. Actions: All to seek a Treasurer to replace Laura at the next AGM. Laura to get the banking forms for Fiona to complete.
5 - Project progress and permissions
a – Library of Things
The meeting discussed a proposal for a Library of Things (LoT) for Tideswell & District from Laurie and Philip. They provided a document. The committee found the proposal to be an excellent fit to TDEG’s work. Storage and staffing needed to be resolved, but there were lots of possible solutions. The National Library of Things and local groups at Buxton and Chesterfield group could provide templates and guidance. It was agreed that TDEG would support the creation of a new group within the TDEG family to plan and deliver a Library of Things for Tideswell & District. The group would be lead by Laurie. An advert for volunteers could be posted on TDEG’s facebook page. Laurie and Philip are both members of TDEG, but other members of the new group could be taken from a wider field. The group should come back to this committee before entering into any legal or financial agreements. Actions: Laurie to lead a new group for a Library of Things. Jules to introduce Laurie and Phil to a contact at Markovitz. All to support the group.
b Existing groups
The Repair Cafe and Buying for Good groups had been continuing their work and details have been reported to the committee and members in the newsletters. The Wildlife Group would pick up activity nearer the spring. It was noted that the Recycling group needed a new leader as Rob was moving away. Action: All to seek a new leader for the Recycling group.
Jill was leading the new Rivers and Brooks group and TDEG had created a webpage for them https://tdeg.org.uk/rivers-and-brooks-group/ Invited members of the Rivers and Brooks group will be meeting John Whitby MP at a special meeting on 18 Feb. They will report back on that meeting at the next meeting of the group itself on 26 February. Action: Secretary to invite Jill to provide an update on all the activities of the group to the next committee meeting.
6 - Whole Group Meetings
The next whole group meeting is scheduled for 19 February 2025, 7.30 – 9.00pm at Fountain Square Church. It will be a talk by Sheelagh Handy, one of the Directors and Trustees of Hope Valley Community Energy (HVCE) about an exciting new project they are developing to increase take up of retrofit and energy saving measures in six wards across the Hope Valley, including Tideswell. We will also hear from Bill Purvis (health and fuel poverty consultant) who is working with HVCE to help develop the programme. The committee reviewed the whole group meeting checklist and made sure all the tasks were in hand. Action: Fiona to make sure actions are complete before the meeting on 19th February
It was suggested that the next meeting might be on Wildlife in the Wye lead by a local angler and river monitor on 7 May 2025. Action: Lynn to discuss with Rivers and Brooks group
7 - Any Other Business
None
8 - Dates of Next Meetings
The following dates were proposed for discussion with the Chair.
Wednesday 23 April 2025 – TDEG Committee
Wednesday 7 May 2025 – Whole Group Meeting on Wildlife in the Wye
Wednesday 25 June OR 2 July – AGM
Action: Secretary to confirm dates with Sue (and Lynn for WGM) and book venues.
