Present: Alan Thrussell (Chair), Alan Cremer and Phil Kessel (DBC), Carole Tilston (NW Kent College), Dave Crowe (City of Wesminster College), John Gunn (Dartford United Nations Association), Richard Wiltshire (QED Allotments), Thelma Mills (Thames Gateway Trust Health Promotions)

1) Apologies for Absence: Pat Still (Advocacy Network), Cllr Coleman (DBC)

2) Notes from the Last Meeting and Matters Arising

a) Carole reported that B&Q has given £220 worth of tools and equipment (at cost price!). These will be used by learning disabled and other disadvantaged people on the Dartford Road allotment site. Carole has a storage problem and would be grateful for secure, accessible storage for the tools.

b) The Thames Gateway health day was poorly attended.

3) The Dartford Festival: Report

This went well overall. The Green Roadshow overlapped with the QED and attracted the children as expected. For next year, we will ensure we plan well in advance (ie January). The Health education section was good even though Health promotion is so short staffed. The tremendous work DBC officers put into the display may not be available next year as Environmental Services will have their own display, though Phil's section will help QED. Co-ordination is needed to prevent overlap.

The video didn't work well but it may have been popular had it rained. The website was also (suprisingly) largely ignored.

Alan thanked all involved.

4) DBC's own Local Agenda 21 Review

a) This was explained by Phil. Many DBC activities help to fulfil LA21's purposes but have not been 'badged' as LA21. A lot of authorities have produced glossy LA21 brochures without much 'meat'. DBC needs a strategy to become a green council. To achieve this, DBC needs to listen to its citizens. LA21 has to move from Environmental Health to become a corporate issue. Council members and Council officers need to promote LA21 as much as possible. But the names 'LA21' and 'QED' don't mean much to many people and the word 'environmental' tends to channel thinking towards the Environmental Health department.

b) QED groups need to gain achievements and not just talk (see para 4.9). DBC's 'LA21 loop' (page 18) is not the whole story: LA21 has to be a key part of the corporate strategy currently being formulated and QED must be involved, not just consulted. The indicative programme (page 19) includes getting QED's views before reporting to DBC members. The Steering Group will have plenty of time to collate and firm up the groups' responses. The report will go to the Environment, Housing and Community Services Committee at the end of 1998.

c) There will be a deputy director directly responsible for LA21. There will also be a corporate working party across directorates, which will feed into other DBC committees.

d) Individual comments go to Alan T via Alan C as soon as possible please.

5) Public Consultation Document - "A Sustainable Development Strategy for the South East"

Serplan has collated responses on planning and economic development from our region. There were only 3 references to health (one from the QED Allotments Group). Health Group members are asked to pass any similar planning documents they see to Alan Cremer to pass to the Chairperson, in case we need to comment. The Local Plan Review will be an agenda item at the next Health Group meeting.

6) Health Action Zones

Dartford and Gravesham have no Government funding but will take the HAZ principle forward. Swanscombe is to have a Healthy Living Centre, an initiative for communities to work with statutory agencies. There was a meeting at Swanscombe which Alan T attended, chaired by Dr Alastair Thompson, a Swanscombe GP who also chairs the HPCC (primary care group). Some people made unrealistic demands but the HAZ initiative needs to put existing resources to better use by rersearching the community's real needs, prioritizing, then deciding how to tackle the problems.

7) Future Activities of the Group

a) With Allotments Group: Food is one of the priorities. A separate issue group, or a short term focus group, could arise to look at, eg, horticultural therapy, healthy eating, etc, as well as genetically modified crops.

b) With Transport Group: Healthy travel - walk, cycle, car free day - next Spring.

c) Mental health will be a priority. There will not be a single World Mental Health Day event on October 10 but individual agencies will have separate open days. Young peoples' mental health is a key issue.

d) The Health Group may contribute an information pack / video to give to new homeowners.

8) Other Business

a) Richard mentioned the Early Day Motion which promotes the value of allotment gardening and mentions QED. 100 MPS will probably sign eventually.

b) Trip to Brogdale, Faversham on October 24, famous for its orchards. Contact Richard.

c) John was thanked for his work as QED chairperson, on his retirement. Julie Morton is the new chairperson.

10) Dates of Next Meeting

Wednesday November 18, 7 pm at the Civic Centre.

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