Present:Julie Morton (Chair, QED Steering Group), Jan Bourne (for Chair, QED Health Group), Richard Witshire (for Chair, QED Allotments Group), David Meade (Chair, QED Waste Management and Pollution Group), John Gunn (UNA), John Fisher (Groundwork Kent Thames-side), Peter Onley (Chair, QED Biodiversity Group), Phil Kessel (DBC).
1) Apologies for Absence: Pat Still and Richard Stone.
2) Minutes of the Meeting of November 17, 1999: As agreed as being accurate.
3) Matters Arising from the Minutes:
PK reported that he had not been able to obtain further copies of the Kent Walking and Cycling Strategies. PK TO ACTION. PK reported that very few letters had been received from cycling groups with reference to accident "black spots". Copies of letters received to be forwarded to the QED Health Group before their next meeting. PK TO ACTION. RW to follow up the purchase of computers now that the millennium bug issue has been dealt with. RW TO ACTION.
4) Accounts: Available spend : £2,089.97
5) Requests for expenditure:
RW: £291.00 plus VAT for attendance of annual International Sustainable Development Research Conference in April: Expenditure agreed.
RW: £310.00 for coach hire with reference to the trip to Ryton Organic Gardens: Expenditure agreed. RW to invite school teacher from Wentworth School, (winners of Great Dartford Pumpkin Competition). RW TO ACTION.
JF: Contribution towards the £500.00 outstanding sum for development of Composting Project: Expenditure not agreed. JF to provide full explanation of known and anticipated costs, further commitments etc. to next meeting of QED Waste Management Group (26.01.00). Request to be brought back to QED Steering Group on 23 February 2000. JF TO ACTION.
6) New works arising from Working Groups:
RW reported that on 11 February 2000 QED and Dartford Borough Council would be entertaining approximately 30 Japanese visitors.
7) News from the QED Website:
RW reported that new consultation documents had been issued by DETR on (i) Groundwater Regulations, and (ii) Review of Special Waste Regulations. PK reported recent guidance issued by DETR with respect to air quality guidance documents.
8) Update on LA21 Draft Strategy:
PK reported that the report to the December Community Service Committee did not happen. Instead, the draft strategy would be considered and discussed in-house before being reported to Members for approval to publish for public consultation. RW asked if the replacement for Alan Cremer had been secured and would be involved in developing the strategy. PK reported that it was likely that a full time replacement would be approved, but unlikely to be in post until May/June this year. RW suggested the delay in reporting the draft strategy to Members could be an advantage in that the new Officer would have time to become involved in developing the strategy. PK to clarify if draft strategy can be released to QED Steering Group. PK TO ACTION.
DM asked as to the progress with the Local Plan Review. PK advised that the likely deposit date would be March.
9) Dates of Future Meetings: These were agreed as being: 23 February, 5 April, 17 May, 28 June, 12 July, 6 September, 18 October and 29 November 2000.
10) Update on "Welcome Pack":
PK to act as "mentor" to JG. JG to produce a rough draft or template of the Welcome Pack for the Steering Group (for distribution prior to the next meeting). JG TO ACTION.
11) Any Other Business
Dartford Borough Community Safety Strategy. PK requested comments by 26 January 2000. ALL QED CHAIRS TO ACTION.
Restructuring within Dartford Borough Council. PK advised of planned new structure. Likely to be implemented in May. Environmental Strategic Development to retain responsibility of LA21, but within a new Directorate, likely to include Policy Planning, Development Control, Building Control, Environmental Health Services and Environmental Strategic Development.
PK handed current membership of QED Groups to each Chair-person present. Requested each to check details and return to him by the 21 January 2000. ALL QED CHAIRS TO ACTION.
The proposal from the Deputy Director of Environment and Leisure was put to the Group and it was agreed. Therefore, any equipment or supplies currently owned by QED that may not be required by QED in the future shall be offered to Dartford Borough Council. This does not prevent QED suggesting to the Council as to potential beneficiaries of the equipment/supplies.
JG issued copies of Dartford Borough Council's Draft Best Value Performance Plan Summary. PK to ensure copies are sent to all QED members.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 23 FEBRUARY 2000, AT 7.00 PM, TO BE HELD AT ENTERPRISE HOUSE.
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