Present: John Gunn (Chair), Ian Hammerton, Said Gousy (QED Allotments Group, by invitation), Richard Wiltshire (QED Allotments Group), Paul Smith (QED Waste Management Group), Pat Martin (QED Swanscombe and Greenhithe), Laurence Gandy (CVS), Alan Thrussell (QED Health Group), Phil Kessel and Alan Cremer (DBC).
1) Apologies for Absence: Isobel Perry and Julie Morton.
2) Minutes of the Last Meeting: Approved with minor amendments.
3) Matters Arising from the Minutes:
B&Q "Quest": Richard Wiltshire reported that small grants of up to £250 are available through "Quest". A bid has been entered for £250 to be spent on refurbishing the flower baskets at C.Y.A. in Swanscombe and Greenhithe and for purchasing tools for disadvantaged gardeners.
4) Accounts: Expenditure already committed or made totals £714-50p. This leaves a balance of £4285-50p. It was agreed that a QED sign for Marcet Road Allotments will be purchased (Richard Wiltshire), and that the expenses for Dr Bike at the Festival will be paid if not funded from elsewhere. The Group also agreed the expenditure of approximately £315 on "T"-shirts for this year's Festival. It was decided that the proposed can-crusher will not be purchased.
5) Group reports
a) Transport: No report.
b) Waste Management: The National Spring Clean Certificates will be presented by the Mayor at 7.45 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Civic Centre on Tuesday June 23rd.
c) Youth: Plans are proceeding for the "Sleep-out". There has so far been no support from schools regarding a presentation on the topic. They have decided against the suggestion of a "recycled" fashion show this year.
d) Health: The group has formulated and agreed its terms of Reference. It is concentrating on the topic of Health Action Zones and will be represented at the open meeting to be held at Swanscombe as it wishes to stay close to this initiative.
e) Biodiversity: No report.
f) Allotments: Mr Said Gousy presented a most interesting report on his visit to "Uplands". The Group's attention was drawn to the article and prize-winning letter published in the current edition of "Amateur Gardening". Richard Wiltshire reported that there are serious problems of security on the Darenth Country Park Site. The Dartford Road members have already decided to have no further participation except in an advisory capacity until safety can be assured. The other members will decide on their action at their meeting on June 29th.
g) Swanscombe and Greenhithe: Pat Martin asked that the Group's sincere thanks to Duncan Philips be recorded for the success of the second newsletter. Liaison with the Chair of the Residents' Association had proved very successful in getting the Letter delivered. Feedback had been received from the tear-off portion.
h) Newtown: Despite Julie Morton's great efforts the idea of a Summer Fair for this year has been abandoned. She recorded her thanks for the support of the Steering Group. For the moment the Group remains dormant.
6) Dartford Festival 1998: A draft lay-out plan for the inside of the marquee had been received from John Strong. A letter had been received from the United Nations Association for space in the marquee. The group decided that as this year it was concentrating on local issues this should be denied. It was agreed that, if space allows, one table for general use will be provided on which outside agencies can place leaflets etc. The Biodiversity Group will liaise with Groundwork in displaying their Managing the Marshes initiative.John Wittington of the Kent Rural Community Council had visited Phil Kessel. They have funding for suitable projects of up to £2,000, but this has to be matched funding. This can be in the form of time given to the project which is credited at £4-75p. per hour. Last year £25,000 was spent in Kent and it is hoped to increase this by three or four-fold this year. They would like some form of small display at the Festival and will present literature for consideration. Laurence Gandy reported that they are the rural equivalent of CVS and that he would very much like them to be accommodated. This was agreed. Paul Smith reported that he will continue to try to contact Bob Gagg concerning the Pinden display and "Bouncy Skip". The Health Group is co-operating with the Health Promotion Unit in their "Sun-Sense" display. Richard Wiltshire is joining them in a "Healthy Eating" display. The Biodiversity Group is hoping to have a plan of the proposed Wildlife Garden in Central Park on display, and also a print-out of the whole Borough showing the sites of Special Scientific Interest. The Group agreed that 100 QED "T"-shirts will be ordered. Phil Kessel will finalise the list of exhibitions in the QED marquee.
7) QED Website: There are currently 67 pages on the site. The problem with the configuration of the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Newsletter is being resolved. It is hoped to have the Web-site open at the festival marquee.
8) Year Planner: The Chairs were thanked for their co-operation in providing copy for the year planner. The final draft has now been approved and is with the publisher. Distribution should take place in the next fortnight.
9) Other Business:
At the request of the Chair the Group confirmed that Chairs who are unavailable for Steering Group meetings may be substituted by an appointed member of their group.
It was agreed that reports to the group by invitation will be bullet-pointed by the appropriate Group Chair, and the presentation limited to a maximum of ten minutes.
Chairs confirmed that they would like to continue to receive the minutes of all group meetings.
Richard Wiltshire drew the group's attention to the Sustainable Development Plan for the South-East. Phil Kessel will obtain copies.
Richard invited everyone to the Dartford Road Allotment site open-day on June 20th.
Phil Kessel reported that the "Green Road Show" will be visiting Walthamstow on July 5th and 6th and invited any two members to accompany him to see it.
10) Date of Next Meetings: July 15th at 2.00pm and September 2nd at 7.30pm.
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