Eleven people came to a meeting of the steering group, which was held on Thursday 24^th September 2009 in The George and lasted two and three-quarter hours.  

Following research between meetings, it was agreed to set up a free voicemail service via email and volunteers came forward to set up and man the system.

The interested people list has grown to 70 members and a newsletter has been sent round giving information on current projects and requesting volunteers.  There has been no response as yet.

Paperwork has been sent to Companies House detailing the change in directorship.  A meeting has been planned to finalise the paperwork for the bank account application.

David Powell gave a talk on his work with Dorset schools including; supporting sustainability for schools, an eco-schools award, UNICEF ambassador promoting the 42 rights we are all born with and a pupil’s voice council.

Another of his projects is for schools to become ‘rights-respecting’.  An arts-based event is planned for January 2010, which has many similarities to TTB’s planned ‘our town’ event.  It was agreed that it may be better to abandon our project and help the school project instead.   

The Heart & Soul group held their monthly meeting at which they shared their vision of what Bridport may be like in 20-30 years.  They also spent time discussing the personal attacks that have recently appeared on the website forum.

There have been multiple personal attacks against a member of the steering group, all posted by the same person, appearing on the website forum.  There was a debate about the right of an individual to air their views versus the problem this causes if their views consist of unsubstantiated attacks.  It was pointed out that TTB are potentially liable if it allows libelous material on the website, even when it has been submitted by an individual and does not express an official TTB view.  It was thought that airing personal opinions on the forum sullies the whole website.  This is particularly damaging as Colfox’s Eco Club were looking at the website as part of their new term’s projects, and it will have given a very poor impression of TTB.

A steering group member has already prepared a draft for an ‘acceptable use policy’ and this will be circulated to the group for comment and suggestions.  It was agreed that this needs to be done as soon as possible.

The Melplash Show went well, with 18 people joining the interested people list and one potential new member of the steering group.  

There was a very good turn-out at the green drink – possibly the highest so far.

Following investigation by a volunteer into the logistics, it was agreed to show ‘The Age of Stupid’ at The Arts Centre in November.

Two volunteers came forward to consider becoming TTB representatives on BLAP.  A volunteer came forward to represent TTB on the SW quadrant stakeholder group which is being set-up.

There are three upcoming opportunities for awareness-raising and volunteers came forward to man the stand on 28^th September, 16^th October and 14^th November.

A newsletter has been sent to the 22 people on the non-emailers list.  

The steering group plan to meet again on 22^nd October 2009.