BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY AT HOME AND IN THE COMMUNITY
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE – MAY 2016
At Energy Alton’s AGM in March 2016, members gave us their ideas about how the organisation should develop in the coming years.
Strengths highlighted by members included Energy Alton’s track record of achievement over the last four years, its committed nucleus of volunteers, its success in obtaining grants and tapping available finances for projects, the programme of regular events, and good links to other organisations, statutory and voluntary. Importantly, Energy Alton was run by members for members.
Where we could improve included increasing our profile and our membership, and the number of volunteers committed to the management of projects. We are small and awareness of our work is quite low. We need to restate our relevance, partly by being more active in broader environmental and sustainability issues.
In response to these important points, the Energy Alton Committee has developed a new work programme, which includes:
Increasing Energy Alton’s profile
- Running a stall at more events in the town, starting with the Victorian Cricket Match on 26th June
- Running an Energy/Sustainability exhibition at the Assembly Rooms in spring 2017
- Producing new leaflets and literature
- Lobbying Damien Hinds MP regularly
- Visiting clubs and societies to offer talks and advice
Energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Continuing our current services and projects (see website) – School and College Photovoltaics; home energy surveys and thermal imaging; reducing fuel poverty; developing and using the NEF Community Energy Data Model
- Developing a low-energy lighting display and exhibition
- Reaching out to the commercial sector
- Seeking to influence planning applications more strongly
- Targeting new housing with advice and support to householders
Boosting sustainability at home and in the community
- Promoting our wider mission beyond energy efficiency
- Encouraging energy efficient travel – such as electric cars, cycling, walking, less air travel
- Loaning the DVD of the film “Trashed” to other groups; investigating what happens to Alton’s waste and visiting the Veolia waste management facility
YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME. Email energyalton@gmail.com with your thoughts.