Present: Mrs J Bourne (QED Health Group), Mr M Still (Tredegar), Mr D Risby (Tredegar), Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr B Ringrose (Wilmot Rd), Dr R Wiltshire (Research Officer), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).

1) Apologies for Absence: Mr G Laidlaw, Mr R Stone.

2) Minutes of Eighteenth Meeting: Accepted.

3) Matters Arising from Minutes of the Eighteenth Meeting:

a) QED Food Forum: Mr Alan Cremer (QED Secretary) has requested that all QED Groups review projects proposed but not implemented. With regard to the QED Food Forum the DASC would refer him to minute seven of the eighteenth meeting.

b) Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens Membership: As Mr Stone was absent report on progress will be left until the next meeting.

4) Research Officer's Report:

a) Since the last meeting advice on allotments in Local Agenda 21 and related matters has been provided to allotment groups in Acton and Leytonstone also to social services in Weston-super-Mare. Mr J Pollitt requested and was afforded access to a copy of the "Future for Allotments" report.

b) Attended the inaugural meeting of the FCF&CF London Region Steering Group on 10th September and was appointed to the interviewing panel for the appointment of the London Garden Worker.

c) Attended the CVS National Lottery applications seminar on 21st September.

d) Presented a talk entitled "Allotments in Agenda 21 in Britain and Japan" to the Isle of Thannet Geographical Association in Broadstairs on 11th October.

e) Attended the Going for Green "Forming Bonds" conference on 28th October and a report tabled for consideration of the committee. Secretary's Note: The report was discussed by the committee who approved its recommendations.

f) Gave a presentation to the Liverpool Allotments and Leisure Gardens Conference on 30th October which was well received.

g) Advice has been given to the NSALG magazine "Allotment and Leisure Gardener" with regard to the inclusion of a regular two-page spread on "Working with Local Authorities on Local Agenda 21" and supplied text for the first feature (scheduled to start in the first issue in 2000).

h) Commenced preparations to host a visit from Professors Ren Azuma and Norio Tsuge next year as part of joint research on allotments in Agenda 21, funded by the Sumitomo Foundation.

i) The meeting with the Darenth Country Park Advisory Group scheduled for 18th October was cancelled due to lack of support.

j) An invitation has been received from the Bromley Federation of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners to resent a talk on the work of the FCF&CG at a future convenient date.

k) QED Allotments have been nominated by DBC for a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health's "President's Award".

5) Joint Activities with the QED Waste and Pollution Group:

a) Composting: The Waste Group has asked QED Allotments Group to consider developing a project proposal for composting municipal green waste (from parks etc) on an allotment site in the Borough. The project could involve the provision of a shredding machine. It was noted that this is already being accomplished on a small scale as part of the Wilmot Road community composting scheme. Next step is a visit to a similar project in Bromley.

b) Compost Bins: Groundwork and QED Waste Group have developed a scheme for building compost bins from pallet wood for supply to the general public. Groundwork have proposed that the QED Website be used to advertise the bins and publicise research on uptake and that local allotment gardeners be invited to give practical advice on the use of bins.

c) Great Dartford Pumpkin Competition: The competition was won by Wentworth Road School who received a prize of £100 and raised over £20 for BBC Children in Need from a "Guess the Weight" competition. The presentation ceremony was held at the school on 20th October and was attended by representatives from Wilmot Road allotments and made the front page of the Dartford Times.

6) Joint Activities with the QED Health Group:

a) Raised Beds at Dartford Road: Mrs Bourne stated that the only outstanding funding for this project is for he purchase of wooden railway sleepers for the retaining walls, all other materials are sourced and the labour for construction is organised. A case for the funding is to be progressed and the Chair of the Health Group will be invited to support the application.

b) Herbs for Health: A response on this will be invited from Mr A Hewitt at a later date.

7) Equipment for use at Tredegar Allotments: A storage hut has been offered to Tredegar by the Red Cross. Mr Still is negotiating to obtain support for purchase of equipment to help him bring this neglected site back into cultivation for the benefit of residents. Mr Still confirmed that QED signs would be useful to promote the site.

8) Visits and Conferences:

a) "Gardens for People" Conference: Feedback from delegates suggest that the conference was popular and informative.

b) Mie Women's Centre: The Japanese delegation's visit on 28th September was very successful. It included a talk at the Civic Centre, site visit to Dartford Road and lunch at Eynsford. A web page has been created to cover the visit.

c) Reading/Sutton: This visit has had to be postponed until 2000 due to lack of time to organise it this autumn. A proposal to visit Cambridge is to be investigated.

9) Dartford Festival Allotments Competition: The exhibit on the 1999 competition has been on display at the Civic Centre Foyer. Presentation to the 1999 winners will be in the Civic Centre at 6.30pm on Tuesday 23rd November and committee members are invited to attend.

10) Federation of City farms and Community Gardens Millenium Yert: Dartford Road Allotments will be invited to respond.

11) Dates of Meetings in 2000: The following dates were agreed for meetings at the Princes Sports & Leisure Centre (8.00pm start): 7th February, 3rd April, 5th June, 3rd July, 4th September, 6th November.

12) Any Other Business:

a) Retirement of Mr A Cremer: The committee wish to register a vote of thanks to Alan for his assistance to us and support of QED over the past three years.

b) Mr M Still to attend next QED Biodiversity Group meeting.

c) Resource Database: The concept of a resource database be established to enable all interested groups to access information on materials, services, skills etc which could be transferred around groups within the QED network, such a system could also hold data on waiting lists so that potential tenants could be offered plots on sites with vacancies. It could also include details of local organisations where funding, tools, materials and services could be applied for and identify any facilities which sites can offer to other groups.

d) Waste cooking oil: (via Waste Group) guidance is required on the disposal of quantities of household cooking oil which it is understood no facilities exist at household waste sites.

e) Wheelie Bins: (via Waste Group) What happens to damaged bins no longer capable of being used for their designated purpose? Could they be used as compost containers on allotment sites?

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