Minutes:
John and Wendy Twigg gave a presentation on the background to and current position with regard to the Environmental Education Contract (Clean and Green Service). The presentation included, amongst other things:
· The work undertaken since the commencement of the contract and the issues of which they were most proud. It was pleasing to note the amount of encouragement and support they now received as well as the direct links forged with schools and with businesses
· The shift of culture/attitude to self-sufficiency and a move away from reliance on council services to a partnership approach
· Information was circulated showing ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs together with statistics relating to work undertaken
· The return on investment in terms of volunteer hours and the number of work placements offered.
· Information was also provided on the work undertaken with school pupils with varying abilities and particular reference was made to the work undertaken with Greenacre school and with Barnsley College students
· Work with businesses to reduce waste particularly plastic and glass and work with pharmacies to encourage safe disposal of sharps
· Liaison that was undertaken with organisations including the Woodland Trust, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Recovery College
Members of the Area Council welcomed the progress made and in response to questioning information was provided on:
· The specific work undertaken over the last couple of months
· The challenges encountered during the transition from reliance on the authority to a partnership and volunteering approach
· The improvements in liaison and partnership approach with external bodies and organisations
· the improvement in the environment for wildlife
The Chair and Members thanked both John and Wendy Twigg for their most encouraging presentation.