Present: Ian Hammerton (Chair), Mervyn Brown, Kate Harmer, Phil Kessel, Tony Morris, Eric Tomlinson, Alan Cremer, David James, Charles Tustian, Simon Geikie, Jean Teale, Richard Wiltshire
Apologies for Absence: Joyce Mann, Julia Marshall, Graeme Laidlaw
1) People
Richard said that Julia had been injured in a motorcycle accident. Ian asked him to convey the Group's best wishes to her. Mervyn said Joyce was retiring from the Group and that he would therefore represent the North West Kent Wildlife Preservation Society. Those attending for the first time were:-
Alan Cremer - Dartford Borough Council
Simon Geikie - Managing the Marshes Project
Jean Teale - Managing the Marshes Project.
2) Records
No report was available from Julia on her progress to date. Phil had drafted an article to be included at the next opportunity in the Borough News. (PK)
3) Current Status of Borough Plan
Phil said that the Main Issues Discussion Paper (Feb 1997) had been issued for comment last year. Whilst the official deadline for comments has passed, comments are nonetheless still being taken. The next step will be a Deposit Plan which is expected to be issued for comments by the end of 1998. The final stage may then be a Public Inquiry.
4) Darenth Country Park
Richard gave an update on progress. Supplies of water and carpets are in hand. Mervyn said he had no concerns about any plants on the site. Ian said supplies of timber were available from Joydens' Wood. Tony recommended leaving the clearance of brambles until the end of July to avoid the nesting season.
5) Chairman's Report
Ian said Ian Williams B&Q's Environmental Officer had given a presentation to the Steering Group. Ian has supplied 200 words for the QED Year Planner. Ian also read extracts from Biodiversity News published by the Biodiversity Secretariat. Alan said he would write an article on QED for inclusion in a future issue.(AC) Alan also said that Ian would receive copies of minutes of the other QED meetings as a matter of course in his position as Chairman.
6) Dartford Festival
A meeting for the QED chairs had been arranged for the coming Thursday. There was still no information about what the Green Roadshows consisted of. It was suggested that provided the QED marquee covered local issues any overlap would be minimised. Each group would contribute its own display. Charles said he had some spare display panels with information which may be of interest. Simon also said he had some display materials.
7) Publicity
Phil said that QED had negotiated a fortnightly 'slot' in the Dartford Informer. Ian asked for each organisation represented on the Biodiversity Group to supply a 200 word article about themselves to provide a stockpile of suitable articles. (ALL)
8) Man Orchids
Tony had identified a group of man orchids which he was concerned about and asked for help to protect them. Charles said he would see if he could do so. (CT)
9) Wildlife Garden for Dartford
Eric presented an idea for a wildlife garden for Central Park - details appended. He also showed a sample packet of commercially available seeds for a wildflower meadow. The seeds had been formulated with advice from Plantlife. Various formulations are available to suit different soil types. Comments at next meeting. (ALL)
10) Managing The Marshes
Eric had invited Simon Geikie and Jean Teale of the Managing the Marshes Project to do a presentation of their work to the Group. It was explained that they hoped to produce a management plan for the marshes whilst studying for an MSc. The project was launched on 15/12/97 and is funded by Glaxo Wellcome. The team are based in the Groundwork Kent Thames-side offices. A series of forums had been held with interested parties on public issues, landscape and ecology, and business. Habitats of particular interest included intertidal mud and the various ditches. Species of interest include the ten spined stickleback. The principle threat to the site was development.
11) Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 30th June 1998 at 7:30pm.
[E. Tomlinson]
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