Present: Alan Thrussell (Chair), John Gunn (UNA) Pat Still (Advocacy), Dave Crowe (City of Westminster College), Richard Wiltshire and Graeme Laidlaw (QED Allotments Group), Thelma Mills (Thames Gateway Health Trust Health Promotions), Alan Cremer and Mike Pratt (DBC).

1) Apologies for Absence: Said Gousy (Dartford Road Allotments Association)

2) Notes from the Last Meeting: The meeting was held on the 18th, not the 11th of November.

3) Matters Arising:

B&Q: Alan Cremer has replied to Dr Howard Stoate MP explaining our relationship with B&Q.

Archery House: Alan Cremer has received a reply from John Mangan. There are no plans to close this site. A decision about the use of the site depends on a review of the mental health and learning disability strategies (consultation continues).

Early Day Motion: This has ended with 68 MPs signing - all got thank you letters. The replies were good.

Tredegar Allotments: Malcolm Still and Richard Wiltshire went to Endeavour House to talk about the benefits and the involvement of the Advocacy Network's Asian Project.

4) Health Action Zones: Mike Pratt explained the Health Action Zone proposals are relevant to the Borough and to QED. His useful overheads will explain his points to anyone interested.

5) Green Apple Awards: DBC gained the Silver Award thanks to QED. As the winner, Westminster City Council, has a £5 million LA21 budget, we did well!

6) Report from the Steering Group:

John Britt was there from Groundwork Trust. Phil Kessel reported on DBC's LA21 Review. Richard Wiltshire is standing down as chair of Allotments, Paul Smith as chair of the Waste Management Group, and Transport is being worked on.

The Steering Group supported the Welcome Pack. They looked at information/leaflets we can put forward to go in shopping centres and public buildings, maybe in carousels sponsored by Glaxo Wellcome. They discussed Roadshow topics.

7) Residents' Welcome Pack:

We need a working group of people drawn from other groups. Some names were put forward and will be put to the Steering Group on February 24. It will take some months to produce the first good draft. The idea of a pilot was retained but Darenth Park will be built by then.

8) Policy Guidance on Recreation and Sport:

QED has a copy of "Background research for revision of PPG 17", which is a consultation paper on future Government planning guidelines. The paper mentions allotments and youth, elderly and disabled groups. But there is little on elderly people, most of whom are active in some way.

Richard Wiltshire will draft a letter from the QED Health and Allotments Groups pointing out how allotments can help the recreational needs of elderly people and asking DETR to include this in PPG17. Alan Thrussell to agree and co-sign.

9) Chair: Alan Thrussell had to stand down due to family commitments. Pat Still will chair the next three meetings and John Gunn will be vice chair for this time. Alan Thrussell was thanked for his excellent chairing over the last year.

10) Other Business:

Mental Health Promotion Day on February 8 at Stone House.

Dave Crowe passed a website contact on education/LA21 to Richard Wiltshire - perhaps to debate local health opportunities.

Richard Wiltshire will attend a Horticultural Therapy seminar.

11) Next Meeting March 17 at the Civic Centre.

END: Return to the QED Health Group page ...