The minutes for the previous Sustainability Zone Committee meeting were approved. A review is given below. Some action points have been carried over from the previous meeting, see list of Actions. It was noted that it has only been two weeks since the last committee meeting so more actions than usual will be ongoing.
In the review of actions from the previous meeting, the following points were noted:
2.1 Ongoing: BT to follow up with the University at a later date about the status of actions for gender neutral toilets and gender neutral titles in student records system.
BT is still waiting to hear back from Alex about this. It is being looked at and BT will update on progress when hears back from the University.
ACTION: Ongoing: BT to follow up with the University at a later date about the status of actions for gender neutral toilets and gender neutral titles in student records system.
2.2 BT, LB, SB and TS to follow up and discuss best methods to record student engagement and participation
This has been completed at LB and SB are recorded figures for student engagement with E&E and E&D
Complete. No further action required
2.3 WB to share method of BEES NUS reporting of student engagement with TS
ACTION: Ongoing: WB to share method of BEES NUS reporting of student engagement with TS
2.4 BT to find out what stage Student Groups are at with reviewing funding and how travel fits into this and feedback to the Zone Committee
BT noted that funding guidelines are on hold due to SUSU bank developments and that this may take longer than expected.
ACTION: Ongoing: BT to find out what stage Student Groups are at with reviewing funding and how travel fits into this and feedback to the Zone Committee
2.5 LB to follow up on the new potential University sustainable travel policy and feedback to the Zone Committee.
LB has completed this and the document is being reviewed by key SUSU staff. BT noted that there may be a separate policy for staff which will go through Staffing Sub Committee. The student group policy will go through Zone Committee and/or Union Council. BT and LB will feedback to the Zone Committee in due course on progress.
Complete. Further action as follows:
ACTION: Ongoing: BT and LB to feed back to Zone Committee about the potential staff and/or student travel policy when there are any developments on progress.
2.6 TS to look at options of sourcing sustainable clothing (including Wessex Clothing) and to find out what other SU’s are doing in regards to this.
ACTION: Ongoing: TS to look at options of sourcing sustainable clothing (including Wessex Clothing) and to find out what other SU’s are doing in regards to this.
2.7 TS to check the existing policy of this and feedback to the zone committee.
The committee discussed section 5.3 of the E&E policy passed in 2014. This policy is currently not being enforced and it was agreed that the zone should plan for implementation of these policies. BT and EC checked to see if SUSU (not for sale) clothing items they were wearing were ethical and there was no indication of this.
The wording of policy 5.3 was discussed by the committee and it was discussed if the policy should be amended and taken to Union Council. It was noted that 5.3 is more specific because the committee identified this as a particular issue that needed to be addressed and would allow the enforcement of this policy point to be easier as it is so specific.
The committee discussed if the words ‘not for sale’ should be excluded. It was identified that all ‘for sale’ hoodies are ethically sourced which was why there was a focus on the not for sale hoodies, and this can be encompassed within section 5.1 and 5.2 of the policy. It was noted that this is not best practice and something to be considered in the future as it could be perceived that SUSU is excluding ‘for sale hoodies’ in this point.
The terming ‘hoodies and t-shirts’ was discussed as now SUSU sell other clothing items in The Shop on Top and the policy should not be limited to just hoodies and t-shirts but should encompass all clothing items. It was agreed that could fall under section 5.1 and 5.2 of the policy.
PD suggested that this section of the policy could be taken as a point of clarity to Commercial Services Sub-committee which would then be minuted on a trustee board sub-committee. This would be a more practical and easier option then taking to Union Council and ensure that Commercial Services cannot stop sourcing ethical clothing for sale in the future.
Complete. Further actions as follows:
ACTION: LB, TS and BT to develop an implementation plan for section 5.3 of the E&E policy.
ACTION: PD to follow up with Jo who prepares the report for Commercial Managers to ensure point of clarity on section 5.3 of the E&E policy is included.
2.8 LB to contact Sue Brindley to get an update on the progress of reducing food waste and to communicate this to the student body (e.g. blog and/or news article)
ACTION: Ongoing: LB to contact Sue Brindley to get an update on the progress of reducing food waste and to communicate this to the student body (e.g. blog and/or news article)
2.9 BT to provide LB with contact details of Sue Brindley.
Complete. No further action required.
2.10 LB to invite PD and MN to the next and all future E&E committee meetings.
Complete. No further action required.
2.11 LB to bring updated waste action plan to next meeting
This has been postponed due to Fairtrade Fortnight. LB will bring to next zone committee meeting.
ACTION: Ongoing: LB to bring updated waste action plan to next meeting
2.12 LB to email PD ideas for special offers in the shop for Fairtrade Fortnight and include any further information need about supply chains.
Complete. No further action required.
2.13 CS to run plan for volunteering survey by BT and/or EC before Make A Difference Day
This survey did not happen due to a change to a more strategic approach.
Complete. No further action required.
2.14 BT to input changes of the core team in the employability PID
Complete. No further action required.
2.15 BT to feedback on status of recruitment agency after the next trustee meeting.
BT informed the committee that the recruitment agency plan was passed at the last trustee board. The will be a new member of staff who will drive this forward and hoping for online commencement in September 2015.
Complete. No further action required.
2.16 BT to include support staff in the PID and to look into potential for qualifications.
ACTION: Ongoing: BT to include support staff in the PID and to look into potential for qualifications.
2.17 TS and BT to review the zone strategy and bring findings to the next zone committee to identify priorities.
ACTION: Ongoing: TS and BT to review the zone strategy and bring findings to the next zone committee to identify priorities.