Present: Pat Still (Dartford Advocacy Network: Chair), Jan Bourne (Dartford Road Allotments), David Crowe (City of Westminster College), John Gunn (UN Association), Phil Kessel (Dartford Borough Council), Graeme Laidlaw (QED Allotments Group), Vicky Prior (Health Promotion Thameslink Health Trust), Richard Wiltshire (QED Website Manager).

1) Apologies for Absence: None received.

2) Notes from the Meeting of November 10, 1999: Accepted.

3) Matters Arising from the Notes:

Herbs Project: RW reported that a change in the committee membership of West Dartford AGS (to whom the project had been referred for comment) had delayed further consideration of this project, but the situation has now resolved itself.

4) Matters to be Reported from the QED Steering Group:

DBC Community Safety Strategy: The Group felt it important that a considered response be given to the Strategy. At present only Steering Group members have copies of the Strategy, so it was agreed that PK would arrange for copies to be sent to all members of the Group and seek an extension to the consultation deadline on the Group's behalf, in order that the issues raised by the Strategy document can be discussed fully at the Group's next meeting on March 15. It was noted at this stage that while police involvement in the formulation of the Strategy was to be welcomed, it is also important that the mental health aspects of community safety are also taken into account. PS volunteered to ask Tina Deadman to submit a comment to this effect to Dartford Borough Council.

5) Welcome Pack: JG and PK had made a good start on drafting the Pack. The Group was shown the first draft, and it was suggested that additions should include the page on allotments prepared some time ago by the QED Allotments Group as well as the various A5 leaflets which QED has produced so far. RW agreed to supply PK with the allotments page: the leaflets are already on the Borough Council's computer.

6) Raised Beds at Dartford Road Allotments: JB reported that the sleepers have been delivered, construction will commence this weekend if the weather holds, and a formal opening is being planned for the Spring, with the MP for Dartford and members of this Group to be invited. B&Q have offered to help with tools. DC raised the issue of negative health implications of gardening - when gardening is bad for your health. RW noted that while there is a lot of medical advice available on which gardeners should avoid what risks and how, that advice is not easily accessible. RW agreed to refer this issue to the QED Allotments Group, with an eye to developing a joint project on the issue between the QED Heath and QED Allotments Groups, with possible participation also by Thrive and the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens. It was noted that there are broader issues of health and safety involved here affecting all QED groups, and PK agreed to explore the possibility of a seminar for all QED members on the general topic of risk assessment.

7) Cycling: The only response to Alan Cremer's letter on the proposed "healthy cycling" initiative had come from Sustrans, who asked to be kept informed but felt unable to participate. No formal response had been received from any cycling groups. PK agreed to write to Tony Mack to enquire whether any further responses were likely to be forthcoming. All agreed that this initiative could not be progressed without the active participation of local cycling groups.

8) Ecumenical Celebration: The Group decided to refer this on to the QED Steering Group, with the recommendation that Alan Cremer be invited to submit a proposal for organising an event marking the spiritual aspects of sustainable development. JG noted that the millennial issue of the Ecologist magazine focusses on just this topic.

9) Any Other Business:

a) Water Mains: PK reported that Thames Water will be relining the water mains in West Dartford over the next eighteen months, to ensure that water quality is maintained. The Dartford Festival will be an opportunity for Thames Water to explain the necessity for this work to the general public.

b) Database: PK circulated a list of participants in QED for updating.

c) Terms of Reference: DC tabled a discussion paper on the Terms of Reference and other aspects of the management and organisation of the Group and of QED as a whole. The Group welcomed the paper and the thinking behind it, but noted that the issues raised could not be resolved in a satisfactory manner in the absence of a formal Local Agenda 21 Strategy, which is still awaited from Dartford Borough Council. It was agreed that the Group would return to the discussion paper once the Local Agenda 21 strategy is in place. In the meantime, it was agreed that it would be helpful for QED's constitution to be made available on the website, and PK agreed to e-mail a copy to RW for inclusion.

d) Health Authority: VP reported that Sue O'Shea and Thelma Mills have both left the Health Authority, but a new appointment is about to be made with special reference to health and smoking.

e) Potato Day: RW invited members of the Group to participate in the Potato Day coach trip on February 6.

f) Property and Equipment: PK reported that the QED Steering Group has agreed that all property acquired in the name of QED but no longer required will revert to Borough Council ownership.

g) Local Agenda 21 Officer: JG requested that this be included as an agenda item for the next meeting.

10) Date of Next Meeting: Wednesday March 15, 2000, from 7.30 pm.

END: Return to the QED Health Group ...