Minutes of the 9th Meeting of the Dartford Allotments Steering Committee

at Princes Sports and Leisure Centre on Monday March 30, 1998 from 8.00 pm

Present: Mr B Ringrose (Wilmot Rd), Mr G Laidlaw (Dartford Rd), Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr A Hewitt,(W Dartford A. & G.S.), Dr R Wiltshire (QED Steering Group), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).

1. Apologies for Absence

Mr R Howard (Gore Rd), Mr W Hamilton (Marcet Rd), Miss J Marshall (Research Officer), Mr J Wells (Hawley)

2. Minutes of Eighth Meeting

Accepted.

3. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Eighth Meeting

None.

4. Joint Action With QED Waste Group

a) National Spring Clean: A leaflet was circulated and the scheme discussed, Mr Rowden (Bean) requested that if a skip was available Bean Allotments would like to take the opportunity of cleaning the site and surrounding environs.

b) Waste Chemicals Leaflet: This leaflet is at present being printed by DBC and will be available shortly.

c) Pallets & Other Materials: Pallets are being distributed by DBC, as yet no barrels have become available. Dr Wiltshire to contact Akzo Nobel Ltd to ascertain the present supply situation.

5. Darenth Country Park

a) Dr Wiltshire reported on the overall progress of the project which included the allotment site, Groundwork's role as on-site contractor, site security and the use of facilities by disabled people.

b) The QED Steering Group and both Health and Waste Groups have given a favourable response to the "model allotment" planning document. The QED Biodiversity Group have identified individuals to undertake the allotment site biodiversity survey and a report is expected in May. A water engineer associated with Dartford Road Allotments Association is to be requested to estimate the water installation costs. The environmental survey is in progress. Dr Wiltshire is to liaise with Respond regarding provision of carpet for covering parts of the site. Decisions on provision of paths will be taken after the "survey phase" has been completed. The position of insurance cover for individuals undertaking QED related matters in the Country Park has yet to be clarified by DBC.

c) A vote of thanks was expressed by the committee to Kent Beekeepers for organizing the trip to Kent House Leisure Gardens which was both enjoyable and informative.

d) Dr Wiltshire attended the NFCF Community Gardening Conference - a report is attached to the minutes.

6. Dartford Festival 1998

No satisfactory response has been received from "The Green Roadshow" regarding the content of their "Sustainable Living Exhibition". It is therefore expected that QED groups will focus exhibition material on actual achievements over the past year as their contribution to the festival.

It was agreed that the Temple Hill Wine Circle and Kent Beekeepers would be invited to the next meeting to help plan the exhibit.

7. Publicity

The QED Allotments Newsletter is at present being distributed to allotments groups, Chairs of all QED Groups and other interested organisations. The QED "Website" is on-line with space available for all allotment associations to enter information, this is already the largest allotment Website in Great Britain. There have been press reports with photographs in the Leader and News Shopper regarding a visit to Dartford allotment sites by Japanese students studying environmental sciences.

8. DETR's Consultation Document on Sustainable Development

The document "Opportunities For Change" was circulated and discussed. It was agreed that Dr Wiltshire will draft a response for discussion at the next meeting.

9. A.O.B.

Mr Ringrose described the principle of a low energy shredder and it was agreed that a feasibility study would be undertaken into this novel device. Dr Wiltshire has been invited by Bromley Allotment & Leisure Gardens Federation attend their next meeting, to run a workshop on allotments in Agenda 21 at "London 21" in Southwark and make a presentation on self-management to Ashford Council and allotment associations.

10. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting has been arranged for Monday 18th May, from 8.00 pm, at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.

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