Minutes from first meeting of SWAFFO, 15th June, 2010

The first meeting of South Witham Against Factory Farm Operations (SWAFFO) took place on 15th June, 2010 in the village hall. The minutes are available in Microsoft Word format by clicking here, but for those who don't have Word, I've published them below...



SOUTH WITHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Draft minutes of SWAFFO working group meeting 1 - Tuesday 15th June 2010 at 7.30pm

Present
Cllr M Wilkins (Chair), Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr D Arnold, Cllr A Smith, Cllr D Maclaine, Cllr N Robins, Sarah Beardmore, Jeff Moss, Marian Davis, Fiona Stuart, Tom Chalmers, Kevin and Linda Baxter, David and Val Joy, Jane Rutherford, Gordon Andrews, Richard Burton, Rev Tom Broadbent,
Mrs H Sandon
Apologies
Cllr P Dedynski, Cllr C Ashton
Meeting Objectives
Cllr Wilkins outlined the workgroup list and explained that by the end of the evening there should be names against each group to investigate these areas further and deadlines set to report back information to the SWAFFO committee.

Events since Public Meeting of 7th June 2010
Parish Council letter had been sent to Velmur Ltd and associates advising of the unanimous vote against the proposal and public disappointment at their non-attendance at the meeting to answer questions, copy of letter on blog. Jeff Moss initiated the blog and keeps the information up to date on a daily basis. Mr Stafford had emailed back to say that Buckminster will discuss and get back to the PC, nothing received as yet. Cllr Wilkins had attended a Nocton meeting that had been informative and it was agreed to send a rep. from each others’groups along to future meetings. A petition has been started around the village. Cllr Wilkins and Mr Monahan had attended a meeting with Nick Boles, our MP, who said he would not get involved as it is a local planning issue. After stressing that there is no legislation to cover these operations, he said he would help with the application. An early days motion has been restarted, however Mr Boles will not sign one as he thinks they are a waste of time.
A copy of the letter sent from NKDC Chief Executive to Defra asking for help was handed to Mr Boles. He will ask a question in the house at the appropriate time. Cllr Wilkins had written to Lady Tollemache asking for help, she had since called back and said she cannot help as she has nothing to do with Buckminster affairs. Cllr Wilkins had sent a further email to Mr Stafford asking Buckminster to reconsider.
Master list of email addresses has been created from the sign in register at the Public Meeting and Cllr Wilkins has sent out the minutes of the Public Meeting to all. Tom Chalmers reported he had been looking at the press on a national basis and info. on proximity to residential housing.

Initiate SWAFFO Groups
All areas need to be looked at in readiness for when the planning application is received, as there may only be a three week turnaround. Possible material considerations and weighting that could be applied by the SKDC Planning Dept need to be thought through fully. Velmur Ltd have had a pre planning meeting with the planners, SWAFFO need to do so too. Cllr Wilkins to arrange.
Issues were allocated as follows;
Environment and Conservation to be combined as one group, Jane Rutherford to lead, with Linda and Kevin Baxter, Richard Burton, Tom Chalmers, Gordon Andrews and Tom Broadbent to assist.
Administration Jeff Moss – blog, other administration tasks- Helen Sandon.
Research – Marian Davis, Defra added into this group.
Traffic – Nick Robins and Sarah Beardmore.
Public Relations – Martin Wilkins.
Public Health – Andrea Smith to lead with help from Jeff Moss, Debbie Arnold and Claire van Straubenzee.
Legal – David Maclaine
Animal Welfare – Fiona Stuart and Tom Broadbent.
Planning – Martin Wilkins.

Petition – Mr & Mrs Joy to co ordinate, additional petition sheets to be put in both shops and pubs.
Petition to be completed and delivered to Buckminster by Mr & Mrs Joy and Claire van Straubenzee by next week.

Reporting Procedures
SWAFFO meetings to be held every two weeks on a Wednesday night at 7.30pm. Next meetings Weds 30th June. Working groups to arrange their own meetings in between and collate information to report back in two weeks time.
SWAFFO contact list information circulated around the table for members to check, Martin Wilkins to then update and issue to all on committee.
Martin Wilkins to be copied in on all emails sent between working group members in order to coordinate activities.

Meeting Schedules
Weds 30th June, Weds 14th July, Weds 28th July all at 7.30pm.
Martin Wilkins may invite an adviser from Planning Aid along to a meeting in a few weeks time to help and advise on the planning application process.

Any other business
Keeping the residents informed and not losing the momentum - information to be included in the July Witham Word, but then there is no August issue, hence future flyers to be produced/ distributed accordingly.
Suggested that the leaflet – Are You Informed, that has appeared around the village be sent out to all residents now with the addition of key headings added in, to show the areas SWAFFO is investigating further. Mr & Mrs Baxter to help with the printing, then delivered to Peter Ball for distribution with the WW, notice required being 48hrs for inclusion. Meeting closed at 9.30pm