Present: Malcolm Still (Chair), Justin Bettey, Jennifer Cooper, Ian Hammerton, David Meade, David Sharpe (B&Q).

Apologies: Rick Bayne, Peter Fry, Peter Onley, Richard Stone.

Allotment Nature Project (Tredegar Allotments): MS reported that Railtrack representatives visited the Tredegar allotment site and were given a tour round. MS put forward the proposed ideas to Railtrack for the land adjacent to the allotment site, should it be allocated to the club. MS is awaiting their decision. MS showed the group a site map of the allotment suggesting what the layout would be. MS also stated that clearing of the site is on going. MS also informed the group that Tredegar had been successful in their application for a CWS community dividend award to the sum of £2509. Action: JB to supply three copies of the site photos.

Borough News article: Article was produced and sent out in this month's Borough News

News from Groups: NW Kent Countryside Project: Jennifer gave the group an update on the projects that the Countryside Project are currently involved in. These included:

• Obtaining the contract to setup a community liaison group in Joydens Wood. This initially will be a weekend group and volunteers will be brought in. There maybe an event to launch it. This project is on going.
• Hedge planting at the Equestrian Centre on Clements St. (Hextable) has been completed.
• Planting of woodland on land at Clements St. has been suspended due to Foot and Mouth.
• Brent School at Stone have approached the NWKCP to discuss a project on their land that maybe turned into woodland/orienteering area. This is ongoing.
• Bean primary school War On Waste has now been completed

Spring clean Week took place last month. The NWKCP took teams and cleaned up areas along the Darent in Dartford Central Park and the Glaxo site. Ten trolleys and twenty bags of rubbish were collected. JC stated that she also saw evidence of fly tipping next to Homebase. The Spring Week was supported by the Environment Agency, which is why the teams concentrated on the river areas.

Woodlands: (Joydens Wood): IH stated that the Wood had been closed due to Foot and Mouth. Contractors have been working there but have been spraying their vehicles. Due to grey squirrel damage some trees including Beech, Sycamore and Norway Maple have been cut down.

AOB:

IH stated that a hedge along Shirehall Lane (Wilmington) had been cut into segments. IH wondered if the landowner could fill in these gaps.

DM asked if different species of wildlife could be identified within the Borough. The group thought that the best way forward was to contact as many local wildlife groups as possible and then try and compile a database of information that they had on species. Action: IH& JB to identify as many local groups as possible and bring them to the next meeting

JB mentioned the National Biodiversity day (June 21st). JB will be arranging in partnership with Groundwork a visit to a local park with a school to search for wildlife. JB hopes this will kick start a Borough wide interest by schools on Biodiversity and other environmental projects. IH said that he would be able to help with this project.

The group agreed that ideas for the Dartford Festival would be discussed at the next Steering meeting on Tuesday 24th April.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 23rd May from 6:30

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