Present: Mrs J Bourne (QED Health Group), Mr J Bettey (DBC), Mr P Fry (Kent Beekeepers), Mr M Still (Tredegar), Mr D Risby (Tredegar), Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr A Hewitt (W Dartford A. & G.S.), Mr R Stone (Swanscombe: Chair), Dr R Wiltshire (Research Officer), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).

1. Apologies for Absence: Mr B Ringrose, Mr & Mrs W Hamilton.

2. Mr Justin Bettey: Mr Justin Bettey was introduced to the committee as the Environment Promotions Officer at DBC, he will assume the duties of Mr A Cremer former QED Secretary as part of his work on LA21 issues and policy. He was welcomed by the committee, the organisation and structure of QED Allotments within QED was explained and discussed.

3. Minutes of the Twenty-Second Meeting of the Committee: Accepted.

4. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Twenty-Second Meeting:

8a) Composting Leaflet: The Bexley Council leaflet could be made available with DBC & QED logo's and will be considered by QED Waste Management Group at their next meeting on 20th September.

12) Meetings, Excursions and Conferences: Dr Wiltshire and Mr Johnson attended FCF & CG AGM. Mrs J Bourne, Mrs E Poulton and Dr Wiltshire to attend Nottingham Conference. Planned coach trip to Capel Manor has been cancelled as insufficient time is available to organise.

13) Chair of the QED Steering Group: Mrs Pat Still was elected Chair of the QED Steering Group at the AGM in July.

5. Research Officer's Report:

a) Since the last meeting, advice on allotments in Local Agenda 21 and related matters has been provided to allotments groups in Newport (Gwent) and Sheffield and to Bristol and Brighton and Hove Councils.

b) Professor Ren Azuma will be visiting Dartford in September and accompanied by Dr Wiltshire will visit allotment officers and plotholder groups in Bromley (7th), Bristol (8/9th), Dagenham and Cambridge (11th). Dr Wiltshire and Mr Ian Egginton-Metters (Director FCF & CG) will visit Japan (19th-27th September) their programme includes presentations to the Rural Development Council (Ministry of Agriculture) and the keynote address at the opening of a new "School for Allotment Gardeners" in Kunitachi City, Tokyo. The Mayor of Dartford has supplied a message of greeting, municipal pendant and commemorative book for presentation to the Mayor of Kunitachi by Dr Wiltshire.

c) Campaigns have been mounted in support of two Early Day Motions promoting allotments and community gardens. Letters and e-mails written to over eighty contacts have generated a large number of positive responses, including letters of support from MP's.

d) Further advice has been provided to Caroline Foley for her forthcoming book "The Organic Allotment", which is due to be published early in 2002.

6. LGA Best Practice Regime for Allotments: Dr R Wiltshire has been invited to tender for a research contract leading to the preparation of a "good practice" guide for allotment management, this work will be a collaboration with other academics and sponsoring universities. The committee discussed Dr Wiltshire's involvement in this task and there were no objections to him undertaking this task as part of his personal academic occupation.

7. Dartford Community Safety Strategy

a) Allotment Watch: It was stated that Allotment Watch has been started on two sites and that other sites which have indicated that they will join need to forward their application forms to Mr Ringrose.

b) Marking Kits: report deferred until the next meeting.

8. Joint activities with the QED Pollution and Waste Management Group:

a) Pallets: Mr Still and Mrs Bourne reported that supplies of pallets are required, Dr Wiltshire to discuss.

9. Joint Activities with the QED Health Group:

a) Raised Beds at Dartford Road: Mrs Bourne reported that the beds are to be advertised to find users.

10. Joint Activities with the QED Biodiversity Group:

a) Memorial Plaque to Lawrence D Hills: Mr Stone reported that a suitable design of plaque was being sought from a local manufacturer although problems of supply were being encountered. Mr P Kessel (DBC) is to investigate the feasibility of siting the plaque on the library wall. It is hoped that Alan and Jackie Gear from the HDRA will be involved in the project as representatives of the organisation which Lawrence D Hills was founder.

b) Biodiversity Action Plan for Allotments: Dr Wiltshire to present a draft for consideration at a later meeting.

11. Dartford Festival 2000/2001

a) Festival Display 2000: Mr R Stone thanked the committee members for their efforts in producing a high standard of display material for the show. The committee considered that the level of noise around the QED marquee due to the proximity of the music was unacceptable.

b) Festival Allotments Competition 2000: Provisional date for the presentation is 6.30 pm on Thursday 23rd November at the Civic Centre.

c) Rules for Festival Allotments Competition 2001: Tabled by Dr Wiltshire and accepted.

12. QED Allotments Newsletter: Draft copy of the Annual Report tabled by Dr Wiltshire for consideration.

13. Any Other Business:

a) Aims for 2000-2001: Possibilities include:

i. Promotion of composting, in partnership with the QED Waste and Pollution Group.

ii. Promotion of allotment gardening as a healthy recreation for the active elderly, in partnership with the QED Health Group, through the forthcoming revision of Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 (Sport and Recreation) and local activities.

iii. Preparation of an advisory leaflet on health problems related to allotment gardening, in partnership with the QED Health Group.

iv. Preparation of an advisory "Biodiversity Action Plan" for allotments in Dartford, in partnership with the QED Biodiversity Group.

v. Expand activities involving plotholders, especially trips to events of interest.

vi. Continuing support for allotment Gardeners locally and nationally through active partnership in Local Agenda 21.

b) Going for Green Conference, Wolverhampton 2nd November: Referred to QED Waste Group.

c) Mr Still reported that the trip to Bromley on composting has been cancelled.

d) Mr Still discussed the need for funds to renovate a caravan that is to be used as a classroom - referred to QED Steering Group.

e) Mr Hewitt raised technical questions on composting and Dr Wiltshire will contact the Community Composting Network on his behalf for advice.

14. Date of Next Meeting: November 6, 2000 from 8.00 pm at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.

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