Present: Malcolm Still (Chair), Justin Bettey, Ian Hammerton, Den Collcutt, Peter Fry, Carolyn Stokes, David Meade

Apologies: None.

Minutes of last Meeting 29th August 2001: These were agreed.

Matters Arising:

Allotment nature project: MS informed the group that the pond is settling down. MS has constructed a two-sided green house and a small club house for visitors and plot holders to use. Balfour Beatty maybe able to supply some materials for the site. Sarah Crowe from Railtrack discussed the issue of providing a 25 yr lease to the Tredegar Nature group for land owned by them.

News from Groups:

Countryside Project: (No News) Action: JB to send out reminder of meeting to NWKCP

Woodlands (Joydens Wood Support Group): Ian Hammerton informed the group that 13 people turned up for the "Walk for Woodland" on Sunday 21st October. Kent messenger turned up to take pictures, and a video was also made for entrance for a competition. Further clearing of paths has been undertaken to expose heather. Also the thinning of Silver Birch has been completed in some areas. A local Grammar school has helped out on this project. There are possible plans for an orienteering course within the woods. IH will keep the group informed. IH and DM thanked the steering group for the kind donation of £500.

Biodiversity day: JB has been contacting local schools, which reside near to parks, such as Bean primary school. The main aim will be to take the children out to the local park to discover Biodiversity. JB was contacted by Swan valley school in Swanscombe. They would like to get involved with some environmental projects as sustainability is now included within part of the national curriculum. JB to arrange a meeting with the school.

"What's in your garden": JB will be attending a KCC seminar on the successful County initiative on encouraging people to identify flora and fauna in their garden. Hopefully QED will be able to adopt this initiative. Action: JB to bring information pack to the next meeting.

Festival: A sub committee will be set-up exclusively to manage the QED marquee next year. MS informed the group that Simsbury's may like to get involved.

Development of Dartford Marshes: With reference to the planning approval for removal of quarry material from Dartford marshes, project. JB contacted Simon Gieke from Groundwork Trust. Simon informed JB that he was the leader in writing the (EIA) Environmental Impact Assessment report. He also stated that a monitoring group would be set-up to ensure all mitigation measures where undertaken by the developer. Simon is a member of that group along with KCC, EA and Kent Wildlife Trust. Action: JB to obtain a copy of the mitigation measures.

AOB: DM informed the group that KCC had produced a leaflet on Biodiversity actions in Kent. This booklet contained information on species within the County and "At risk" flora/fauna. Action: JB to obtain a copy of this booklet.

Next Meeting: 6th February 2002 6:30 Civic Centre.

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