Present: Mr. I. Hammerton, Mr P. Kessel, Mr A. Cremer, Mr R. Tee, Mr C. Tustian, Dr R. Wiltshire, Mr E. Tomlinson.

Apologies for Absence: Mr J. Gunn, Mr J. Strong.

1. Actions from Last Meeting

1.1 Wildlife Garden: Letter to be written to Eric Davis.

1.2 Articles for Informer: Ian reminded group of the need for 200 word articles about their organisations for inclusion in the Dartford Informer.

1.3 St James Lane Quarry: No further action required.

2. Objectives/Targets

Although not an agenda item Charles suggested that the group should develop some more specific targets for the short term. Proposals for next meeting.

(I spent some time after the meeting drawing up some targets which can form the basis of a discussion and may help others to come up with further proposals - appended ET).

3. Local Biodiversity Action Plan

After some discussion it was agreed that Ian should write to David Fletcher, Director of Development and Corporate Property, to encourage the Council to develop a local BAP and to offer the groups support.

4. Dartford Festival

Phil thanked everyone for their efforts. Need to do something different next year. Mixed opinions re: Green Road Show.

5. Publicity

5.1 Alan had written to the Biodiversity Secretariat with regard to the setting up of the Group for inclusion in Biodiversity News.

5.2 Richard explained that QED activities were published on the Internet via the QED website.

5.3 Eric said he had written to the DETR in response to the Governments Consultation paper 'Making Biodiversity Happen'. Richard has also written on behalf of the Allotments Group.

5.4 An article had appeared in the Borough News concerning the Biodiversity Group 'QED goes Bio!'.

6. Future Activities

Richard had obtained a newsheet 'Gardening for Life' which he said could be adapted for publication by QED. Comments for next meeting before going to press.

Charles recommended development of a 'house style' for this and future publications. Phil said Duncan Phillips had some skills in this area. To be raised at Steering Group Meeting.

7. Green Apple Award

Alan was pleased to report that the Council had won an award in a competition for the Greenest Council in the UK, run by the Charted Institute of Environmental Health. The exact award would not be known until the awards ceremony on December 8th.

8. Charles Tustian

The group expressed their thanks to Charles for his work with NWKCP over the years. In particular the Darent Valley Path will remain as a permanent reminder of his efforts to improve the local environment. He will be interviewing for a replacement before he leaves for his new post overseas.

9. Trip to Brogdale

Richard proposed a day trip to Brogdale for the Apple Day on October 24th. This was to be followed by lunch in the Albion (best pub food in Kent 1997) and a visit to Stonebridge Pond Allotments. The group supported this proposal.

10. Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 3rd November 1998 at 19:30 in the Civic Centre

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