Present: Mrs J Bourne (Dartford Rd), Mr R Stone (Swanscombe, Chair), Mr M Still (Tredegar), Mr J Rowden (Bean), Dr R Wiltshire (Research Officer), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).

1. Apologies for Absence: Mr L Smith, Mr R Howard, Mr D Risby, Mr T Humphries, Mr P Fry, Mr B Ringrose.

2. Minutes of the Twenty-Eighth Meeting of the Committee: A Letter from Mr L Smith concerning accuracy of the minutes was discussed but they were accepted as accurate without amendment.

3. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Twenty-Eighth Meeting:

3a) Memorial Plaque to Lawrence D Hills: Plaque was on display at the Harvest Festival at Holy Trinity Church in October and will also be shown at the Dartford Allotments Prizegiving Ceremony on 14th November.

3b) LGA Good Practice Guide: Favourably reviewed in December issue of The Kitchen Garden.

4. Research Officer's Report:

a) Since the last meeting, talks based on the LGA Good Practice Guide have been given to the Allotments Forum in Ealing (18th September), an allotments seminar in Burnley (25th September), and the AGM of the Yorkshire Allotments and Gardens Federation in Sheffield (10th November).

b) An explanation has been provided to the Local Government Association on the significance of Section 8 of the 1925 Allotments Act and its need for retention.

c) Since the last meeting, advice on allotments in Local Agenda 21 and related issues has been given to plotholders in Okehampton, Plymouth and Crayford (on the proposed disposal of the Bourne Road site which is a fully tenanted statutory site) and to Ealing, Gravesham, Sandwell and Southend Borough Councils and Dorchester Town Council.

5. Report on QED AGM (4/10/01): Mrs Still was re-elected as Chair of QED. It is proposed to hold more events at locations where practical projects are in progress. Mr Still reported that he had been approached by a representative for the developers of the West Hill hospital site (ASDA) with a view to making plots at Tredegar available to residents of any new housing scheme that may be built on that site. The Chair proposed to discuss the provision of a series of new promotional leaflets for QED groups with Mr P Kessel DBC.

6. Joint activities with other QED Groups:

a) QED Pollution and Waste Management Group: No report.

b) QED Health Group: It was reported by Mr Still that this group is being re-organised and new members are invited to participate.

c) QED Biodiversity Group: Mr Still reported that the recently installed pond forming part of the Tredegar project is now landscaped and awaits planting. This project which is a joint venture between the QED Biodiversity and Allotment Groups has been featured in local newspapers.

7. Allotment Watch: Mr Ringrose although unable to attend supplied documentary evidence which reveals that Kent Constabulary has mislaid the application forms submitted by local associations for joining this scheme, this means that the AllotmentWatch telephone ring cannot be set up unless fresh forms are submitted. The committee discussed the failings of the Kent Constabulary and decided to ask the site committee representatives to obtain views of their sites on whether to continue with the venture and report back for a decision at the next meeting. It is understood that Mr Ringrose will not be taking the lead in this and a new coordinator will be required should the venture be undertaken afresh.

8. QED Allotments Newsletter: Dr Wiltshire reported that the autumn edition has been printed and distribution started. It was disappointing that no sites provided reports for inclusion in the newsletter as requested.

9. Dates of Meetings in 2002: The following dates were agreed - 4th February, 1st April, 3rd June, 8th July, 2nd September and 4th November, all meetings will take place at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.

10. Visits and Conferences: Mr Stone reported that he is organising a trip to HDRA Ryton (near Coventry) for the annual "Potato Day" event on 3rd February 2002.

11. Any Other Business:

a) Dr Wiltshire announced that H.R.H. Prince Charles has graciously agreed to become Patron of the Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens.

b) Dr Wiltshire will address a Managers Seminar hosted by the Institute of Amenity Management at Swindon in December.

c) A proposal from Mr Still to support an application for a new observation hive and display material for the Kent Beekeepers at the Tredegar site was approved by the committee. They form an integral part of QED Allotments and provide strong support at many local functions.

d) Mr Still proposed that a sub-committee be set up to organise and co-ordinate the QED exhibits at the 2002 Dartford Show. This was agreed, Mr Still to arrange and contributors should contact him.

e) Mr Stone to give a talk on Allotments in Local Agenda 21 at Sevenoaks in January.

12. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting will be 4th February 2002 from 8.00 pm at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.

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