Present: Julie Morton (Chair), Paul Smith (Chair, QED Waste Management Group), Richard Wiltshire (Chair, QED Allotments Group), Alan Thrussell (Chair, QED Health Group), Ian Hammerton (Chair, QED Biodiversity Group), John Britt (Groundwork) and Phil Kessel (DBC).
1) Apologies for Absence: John Gunn (UNA), Laurence Gandy (CVS), Pat Martin (Swanscombe & Greenhithe QED Community Group) and Alan Cremer (DBC).
Julie Morton introduced John Britt who was attending the Group for the first time, and represented Groundwork. Group members introduced themselves.
2) Minutes of the Last Meeting:
Had been received. Error was noted on "Dates for Future Meetings" in that a meeting was shown for 11 November 1999 but should be 17 November.
3) Matters Arising from those Minutes:
None as outstanding issues to be covered by Agenda items.
4) Green Apple Award:
The Green Apple Trophy for Environmental Best Practice was shown to the Committee and Julie Morton read a letter of thanks she had received from Chris Oliver.
5) Accounts:
Phil Kessel reported current balance to spend = £ 1968.66 but informed the Group that about £400 to £500 would need to be transferred at the end of the year for postage.
6) Group Reports:
Transport: Phil Kessel reported no contact possible with John Strong. Date to be set for Transport Meeting which Julie Morton will chair and letter to John Strong to advise.
Waste Management: Paul Smith advised that a response to the LEAP Consultation Document had been sent. Phil Kessel to circulate to each Chair the DBC response to LEAP.
Youth Action Group: Phil Kessel met with BIG ISSUE Group who would be happy to merge with QED YAG providing the identity of the group stayed as the Big Issue. Phil Kessel to progress. John Britt advised of the work by Groundwork in that they have an Environmental Education Officer (David Perkins) who works closely with schools. Currently working with Fleetdown and Leigh CTC.
Health Group: Alan Thrussell advised of an error on the minutes for the meeting on 18 November. The heading referred to the meeting on 11 November. Also, under the heading "Health Action Zone" the date shown should have been 19 November and not 11 November. The group hope to be working with Swan Valley Community School to promote a Healthy Living Centre. The Group felt it important to raise the profile of the Health Group and QED generally by having some form of "Roadshow". Expert speakers could be brought in, topics could include mental health, healthy living, Aids etc. This was discussed and agreed to be followed up by each chair taking the suggestion to their respective groups. ACTION: Each Chair to report back at the next Steering Group.
Allotments Group: Preparations at Tredegar site progressing. Early Day Motion deadline now expired. Richard Wiltshire received letter of thanks from several MPís and their secretaries. One of which wishes to be kept advised of progress. The briefing documents re Allotment Gardening have been subject of consultation and responses have been received. The issue will be progressed at the LGA meeting in February. 4 schools have entered the Pumpkin Competition, including schools outside DBC area. Richard Wiltshire advised that there would be a new QED Allotment Chairperson at the next Steering Group meeting. Other chairs voiced their own future intentions - see under "Any Other Business".
Biodiversity Group: Ian Hammerton reported a poor attendance of the meeting held on 5 January. The Group are taking an interest in the development of North Dartford, and the Swan Valley Community School tree planting initiative. Response sent by Eric Tomlinson to Mr Brodie of Environment Agency re Kent LEAP. Ian Hammerton spoken to John Arnold, Forward Planner DBC re how biodiversity being dealt with by DBC. He was told that the issue was covered in the current Local Plan Review of which a deposit plan would be available for consultation some time in June this year. Biodiversity Group now listed by DBC as a consultee. ACTION: Ian Hammerton to provide John Arnold with a list of useful contacts for consultation process. John Britt advised that Simon Geeky of Groundwork held a comprehensive register of flora and fauna on North Dartford marshes and that he can normally be contacted at the office on Mondays.
Newtown: Julie Morton reported very little activity/enthusiasm by local residents to set up a group. She will progress the Plastic Bag Collection Point with the CO-OP who require more information if they are to further their initial interest. Julie Morton to action.
Swanscombe and Greenhithe: Phil Kessel reported he had not attended the last meeting but understood there may have been a problem with the delivery of the Newsletter. Further information would be sought. ACTION : Phil Kessel to progress.
7) Requests for Funding:
Ian Hammerton asked how soon invoices should be submitted. Phil Kessel advised a.s.a.p. Richard Wiltshire requested x3 return rail tickets to London re lecture and this was agreed.
8) DBC Local Agenda 21 Review Document:
Phil Kessel advised of recent report to Environment, Housing and Community Services Committee re LA21 Strategy and forthcoming Discussion Forums within the Council. General feeling was one of appreciation of the Council's efforts and acknowledgement of dealing with a "huge task" of which the full implications were not yet known. Phil Kessel also advised that LA21 Strategy would be linked closely to Best Value which was due to be implemented by local authorities as from April 2000. John Britt advised of the future need for local authorities to purchase from ISO accredited companies as a result of EC Directive. Ian Hammerton requested spare copy of LA21 Review document: Phil Kessel to action.
9) Proposed New Residents Welcome Pack:
Alan Thrussell advised that the Health Group were keen to pursue this issue. Need to work with developers and not rush into the initiative. Aim to have a pilot area for initial release and if successful it can be used Borough wide. Issues of content and funding need to be addressed. The potential to undertake some survey work to determine nature of material was discussed. Considered to be important. Alan Thrussell suggested a sub group be established to progress the issue. This was agreed subject to feedback from each group. ACTION: Each chair to raise at next group meeting and feed back to Steering Group.
10) Presentation to QED Groups re planning issues:
Phil Kessel unable to arrange this prior to Christmas - apology offered. ACTION: Phil Kessel to arrange for a presentation in early February, subject to availability of speakers and Council Chamber.
11) Publicity and Publications
Dartford Informer Series - the general feeling was that this had not been a success. Phil Kessel commented on the need for good and regular articles and potential problems with DBC staff being able to maintain the process. The Group wish to invite Russell Bowie to the next Steering Group meeting to discuss publicity issues.
Leaflets and Carousels - Julie Morton reported that Glaxo Wellcome is happy to assist in purchase of carousels but require more information re size and number. It was agreed to have 2 permanently sited (one in Dartford Town Centre Library the other at Swanscombe Library) and have 4 others which can be moved around from site to site on a regular basis. These could be placed in schools, doctors' surgeries etc. Size of holders to accommodate A5 size leaflets. ACTION: Phil Kessel to investigate if council staff could maintain content and movement of carousels and Julie Morton to follow up with Glaxo Wellcome.
12) Other Business
(i) Richard Wiltshire requested that he continue in some role on the Steering Group. In view of his maintenance of the website, it was agreed that he continue on the Steering Group in a publicity co-ordinator role. Also that he had spoken with Head of Dartford Grammar (Girls) re a project to compile a register of LA21 related information held by Alan Cremer and place this on the website. Hard copy to be placed in carousels. This was agreed.
(ii) Paul Smith advised he would be vacating the chair of Waste Management Group and also his liaison with QED due to personal commitments, but added that he would like to return at some point in the future.
(iii) Alan Thrussell and Ian Hammerton reported that they too would at some point in the near future be vacating their respective positions as chairpersons. This raised the issue of succession and it was felt appropriate that each group have vice chairs and in the event of no chair being available, a rotating chair system would be introduced.
The Group thanked Richard Wiltshire and Paul Smith for their efforts and achievements.
13) Dates of Future Meetings
Error in Steering Group minutes. For February 25 read February 24.
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