Present: John Gunn (Chair), Ian Hammerton (Biodiversity), Richard Wiltshire (Allotments), Paul Smith (Waste Management), Alan Thrussell (Health), Alan Cremer, Phil Kessell and Chris Oliver (Dartford Borough Council).

1) Apologies for Absence: Laurence Gandy, Julie Morton, John Strong, Isobel Perry, Dev Sharma.

2) Dartford Borough Council Local Agenda 21 Review Document

The main purpose of the meeting was to consider the above document and any responses to it emanating from QED Groups. For this purpose the Director of Environment and Leisure, Chris Oliver, attended the meeting and was welcomed by the Chair.

Chris thanked the meeting for written comments received from Isobel Perry on behalf of the Youth Group and Richard Wiltshire on behalf of the Allotments Association. He expressed his view that a Review of Local Agenda 21 within the Council was necessary as he felt that there was a strong need for education and heightening awareness among Members. There was no main committee overseeing Local Agenda 21 in Dartford and no agreed corporate policy. Following re-structuring of the Committees, the Environment, Housing and Community Services Committee will now be responsible for LA21 issues, which will need a corporate approach.

The report therefore targets members and the Management Team. It has not yet been distributed to members. A Deputy Director is soon to be appointed who will largely be responsible for carrying forward Local Agenda 21 policies, both national and local, and will have an important educational role.

Chapter 3:

This highlights existing LA21 initiatives and makes it clear that all Directorates are part of it. The Council lacks advice and support in some areas such as transport. Chris would like to see the emergence of tangible parameters (sustainability indicators) which would help to monitor progress with the aims and ambitions of LA21. A stronger identity for QED would be achieved by strengthening interest within QED topic groups. He noted the achievements made by QED so far, and expressed his hope that future activities will be even more successful in providing feedback to Council about individualsí wants and needs. He was particularly hopeful about the formation of a Youth Forum later in the year and its potential role in this area.

Chapter 4:

It should be made clear that certain activities of the Council are already fulfilling the needs of LA21, and that QED is an important component of but not the sole element in LA21 activity in Dartford. The aims of QED and its position in the whole LA21 picture need clearer definition. Groups could be looking more closely at specific issues and delivering their conclusions to Council. Making the public more aware of LA21 is something that the Council needs to address. It is felt that Borough News could play an important part in this, for instance in picking up "excluded Youth". Careful thought is needed in how to take such issues forward. The Council needs to look carefully at ways of maintaining enthusiasm and focus, and of facilitating practical ways of taking the whole policy forward. There is an identifiable possible conflict of interest among certain Council Officers. It will therefore be necessary to give some thought to identifying those Officers who should be involved e.g. Planners.

Environmental, Housing and Community Services Sections all have a responsibility enshrined in LA21. There are many areas in which help could be offered e.g. Possible introduction of the "Alley-Gater" scheme in Newtown together with an audit of crime. The Transport Group could possibly play a part in encouraging Green Commuting by liaising with Businesses/Connex etc..

QED Groups might join forces with similar interest Groups in order to spread the word.

The Environmental Protection Policy has largely been dealt with by Sections in isolation and consequently ìownershipî has been lost. It is important that this common ownership is fostered in Council.

In terms of implementation it is important that Focus Groups, however constituted, should set goals and targets first. Once the Council knows where it is going it should re-state the policy.

Mr Oliver stated that it was very important that Officers should assist in developing strategies but should act as facilitators only.

The Health group requested that their members be given a copy of the Review before their next meeting, and that an Officer be invited to address the meeting.

The Biodiversity Group requested that they be put in touch with Officers concerned with their field and that they be identified to them for this purpose. They will be very happy to assist in any way with the production of a local Biodiversity Action Plan.

In terms of the Corporate Strategy it was agreed that a mechanism for QED input to such areas as the Mission/Purpose, the Local Plan, Transport Policy, Leisure Strategy and the Environmental / Community Strategy should be investigated. Since Local Agenda 21 influences so many other policies and plans it is important that it is made to fit comfortably into the Corporate Plan.

Richard Wiltshire expressed his support for the Review, but stressed the importance of QED being able to articulate fully with the Council. He warned that we must be careful not to become so entrenched in environmental issues that we lose sight of the broad canvas upon which LA21 is painted.

Chris was warmly thanked for his attendance at the meeting.

3) Accounts

Phil Kessel informed the meeting that the current balance of the account is £3502-39p.

It was agreed that £300 be used to subscribe to the Green Organisation for publication of Q.E.D.ís submission for the Green Apple Award. This will include one yearís membership and other fringe benefits.

Richard Wiltshire's request for £10 to subscribe to the National Food Alliance Digest was agreed. He proposed that a trip be organised to Brogdale, the National Apple Collection on October 24th.. There will also be lunch at an award-winning Pub and a tour of Stonebridge Ponds Allotments Site. It was agreed that £160 be allocated toward the cost of a coach.

4) Dartford Festival

The Groups were thanked for their hard work in making the QED contribution a great success.

5) Future Meetings

John Gunn will talk to John Strong about the next meeting of the Transport Group.

6) Youth Group

The Steering Group offered its congratulations to the Youth Group on its successful "Sleep-Out" which raised £836 for the homeless. The YMCA will match this funding.

7) Future of the Chair

John Gunn informed the meeting that due to other calls upon his time he would like to relinquish Chairmanship of the Steering Group with immediate effect. The group wishes to record its thanks to John for his efforts on its behalf.

Richard Wiltshire proposed Julie Morton be elected Chair. This proposal was seconded by Alan Thrussell. Julie was elected nem con.

8) Date of Next Meeting

This will be at Enterprise House on November 4th at 7.30 pm.

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