Minutes of the 15th Meeting of the Dartford Allotments Steering Committee
Princes Sports and Leisure Centre on Monday February 1, 1999 from 8.00 pm
Present: Mr R Stone (Swanscombe), Mr A Hewitt (W Dartford A & G.S.), Mr M Still (Tredegar), Mr J Rowden (Bean), Dr R Wiltshire (QED Steering Group), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).
1) Apologies for Absence: Mr B Ringrose, Mr G Laidlaw, Mr W Mundy.
2) Minutes of the Fourteenth Meeting: Accepted.
3) Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Fourteenth Meeting:
4) Early Day Motion 1598: Dr Wiltshire reported that all 68 M.P's who signed EDM 1598 were sent letters of thanks for their support and 8 have responded.
10) Welcome Pack: The QED Steering Group have agreed to delegate this to a team specifically set up to undertake the task. Two plotholders from Dartford Road with experience in printing and graphic design have volunteered to provide technical advice.
4) Tredegar Allotments Update:
Mr Still reported that Kent Beekeepers (Mr W Mundy) is to plant trees and erect a shed as part of the infrastructure for the establishment of the teaching facility. Discussions have taken place with Endeavour House on aspects of horticultural therapy that could be undertaken on the site. A horticultural project meeting the health needs of Asian women is still under consideration by the QED Health Group and it may be possible to apply for a grant from the new National Lottery New Opportunities Fund Scheme. Renovation of the site is continuing and some pallets have been delivered.
5) Update on the TLIO National Allotments Working Group:
Discussion took place with regard to the link between the Allotments Coalition Trust (ACT) and The Land Is Ours (TLIO) and it was decided to maintain a watching brief on the future development and structure of these organisations.
6) Publicity:
a) Article for HDRA News: This has been submitted by Mr R Stone and is awaiting publication.
b) Other:
1) Dr R Wiltshire has been interviewed by "Gardening Which" magazine regarding the Governments response to the "Future For Allotments" report.
2) Mr R Stone has been invited to meet producers from Channel 4's "Big Breakfast" programme with regard to the feasibility of undertaking a regular slot devoted to allotments.
3) Mr R Stone has been invited to give a lecture on organic gardening to Tunbridge Wells Allotment Gardeners under the QED banner.
4) Dr R Wiltshire has been invited to supply an article about the QED Allotments Group to the Shell Better Britain Campaign's magazine "Interactive".
7) Joint activities with QED Waste Management Group:
1) Pallets: As stated earlier pallets have been supplied to Tredegar and more are available.
2) Barrels: Akzo Nobel are now accumulating barrels, to be delivered during February to Littlebrook Power Station for subsequent distribution to local allotment sites. A £3 donation will be recommended for each barrel with the net proceeds going to Tredegar Allotments to finance the formation of an allotment association on the site.
8) Pumpkin Competition 1999:
a) Primary Schools' Pumpkin Competition 1999 (in association with KCC): Education packs on composting have been ordered for each participating school paid for by QED.
b) The NSALG have now launched a "National Pumpkin Day" and competition with proceeds donatedto BBC Children in Need. Kings seeds will be supplying seeds for this at a price of £1, of which 80 pence will go to the same charity.
9) Future QED Activities and organisation:
Dartford Borough Council's Local Agenda 21 Review is progressing and the future directions for QED activities and organisation will depend on the outcome.
10) QED Food Issues Group:
Dr Wiltshire tabled a document entitled "Proposal for the Formation of a Food Issues Group" which was discussed and it was agreed that he will raise the issue at the next Steering Group meeting.
11) Local Government Association Allotment Advisory Group:
Dr Wiltshire confirmed that the two QED briefs were submitted on time and the next meeting is to be held on 3rd March.
12) Darenth Country Park Allotments Project:
Dr Wiltshire reported that the Advisory Group have not met since last June and the security aspects which caused QED Allotments to delay participation have not been addressed, therefore resumption of involvement cannot at this time be recommended. This view will also be recommended to Dartford Road Allotments Association at its next meeting.
13) Replacement of Dr R Wiltshire as Chair of QED Allotments:
It was agreed that from the end of the meeting Dr Wiltshire would stand down as chair, the position beind taken by Mr R Stone. Dr Wiltshire will replace Ms Marshall as the Group's Research Officer, remain a member of the QED Steering Group as Website manager and deputise for Mr Stone. A vote of thanks was made to Dr Wiltshire for his unfailing energy and expertise in the post as chair since the inauguration of QED Allotments.
14) Dartford Festival 1999:
QED Allotments exhibit will be a photographic record of the 1999 Festival Allotments Competition, using one of the display trellises. The other trellis will be made available for launching the QED Food Issues Group. Dr Wiltshire will retain responsibility for the Festival Allotments Competition through to the prize-giving ceremony. It has been suggested that in co-operation with the QED Waste Group a shed be constructed on the festival site to illustrate the use of recycled materials.
15) Any Other Business:
a) The Fifth Newsletter: To be ready for printing by the beginning of March and contents to include application procedures for the Festival Allotments Competition and advertisement for plants available from "Branches Out". The newsletter will be published simultaneously on the Internet.
b) PPG17 ( Sport and Recreation) Revision: Dr Wiltshire has sent a letter to Dr Stoate on behalf of QED Allotments and Health Groups asking him to intervene with the DETR to ensure that the recreational needs of the active elderly are fully recognised within any revised policy guidance for sport and recreation.
c) SERPLAN Sustainable Development Strategy: A representation will be made by the deadline of 12th February thanking SERPLAN for recognition of allotments as a form of urban green space (section 3.1.10), and for confirmation that urban green space and open land will be treated as synonymous. Also for linking this issue to LA21 policies (section 3.3.29).
d) Horticultural Therapy: Dr Wiltshire and two members of staff from NWK College attended the inaugural meeting of the SE Region Network for Horticultural Therapy on 28th January. Dr Wiltshire has been invited to give a talk on Horticultural Therapy to a mental health conference on 8th February.
e) "Tidy Britain 1999": Tredegar and Swanscombe Allotments have requested consideration for participation in the scheme by utilising a skip in their area to clean their sites and the surrounding area.
16) Date of Next Meeting:
The next meeting has been arranged for Monday 5th April 1999 from 8.00 pm at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.
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