Energise Your Community:

East Renfrewshire Community Enterprise Trust would like to thank the presenters, sponsors, and attendees who helped to make the Community Energy Conference a great success. For copies of the presentations and photos from the event, visit our web site.

Do you wish to learn about the potential benefits for your community or community group that renewable energy might bring? Do you wish to find ways to reduce the running costs for your community building? Or wish to lower your community's carbon emissions? Or perhaps you have ambitious plans to generate long-term income for your community by developing your own generation scheme, such as a community wind turbine or even a hydro project?

This conference will provide community group representatives with information on:

• Different forms of renewable energy generation
• The benefits of developing a community energy project
• What funding and support might be available to bring your idea to life

Community groups like yours from across Scotland – who have completed community energy projects – will present on the ups and downs they went through, and the lessons learned along the way.

The conference is free and is open to all community groups in East Renfrewshire.

Surgery places are also available, where you can talk on a one-to-one basis with one of our people about your idea, and how we might be able to help. Please make sure you register your interest beforehand so we can accommodate you on the day.

Wednesday 31st March 2010, 10am – 4pm
Carswell Hall, Montgomery Street, Eaglesham
Programme
From 9.30 am – registration - Tea /coffee and scones will be available on arrival

10.00 :: Welcome and Introduction

Welcome from Chair - Michael Roy, Chief Executive of ERCET and Opening address - Cllr Eddie Phillips, Environment Convenor, East Renfrewshire Council

10.10 - 12.20 :: Morning session

Introduction to Community Renewables – Iona McDonald and Eric Dodd – Community Energy Scotland
Whitelee Wind Farm Fund – Sharon McMurtrie, Senior Manager, East Renfrewshire Council
East Renfrewshire LEADER – Suzanne Tyrrell, Economic Development Officer, East Renfrewshire Council

11.05 – 11.20 :: Break – tea/coffee available

Energy Savings Scotland – David Griffin, Community Projects Co-ordinator ESSac, The Wise Group
Climate Challenge Fund – David Gunn, CCF Manager Keep Scotland Beautiful

12.00 – 12.20 :: General Q&A and discussion with panel of all morning speakers

12.20 – 13.00 :: Buffet Lunch and networking

Afternoon Session
13.00 - 14.40 :: Case Studies from around Scotland

Guildtown Community Association/Scottish Gas Greenstreets – Jack Welch
Bridge of Allan Church Community Hall – Donald and Kathrine Gardiner
Douglas St Brides Community Group – Iain Waller
Coalburn Miners Welfare Charitable Society – George Greenshields
Neilston Development Trust – Pauline Gallacher

14.40 - 15.00 :: Break – Tea/Coffee Available

15.00 – 15.40 :: Workshop Session

All speakers ( from morning session as well) will have a  table each set around  the hall for one-to-one Q&A.

15.40 – 15.55pm :: Final Plenary Discussion Session with all speakers

15.55pm Close of formal proceedings and vote of thanks – Cllr Tony Buchanan, Economic Development Convenor, East Renfrewshire Council