Present: Patricia Still, David Meade, Richard Wiltshire, Justin Bettey (DBC), Phil Kessel (DBC).
Apologies: Richard Stone
1) Minutes of the QED Steering Group held on 6th September: were approved.
2) Matters arising from the minutes:
1. Composting Leaflets
JB stated that Bexley Borough Council had no objections in the QED group using their leaflet for a Dartford version but did need to get final confirmation from top management. Actions: JB to follow up
2. Allotment Biodiversity
Richard Wiltshire stated that the plan to include some type of Biodiversity project within the Allotments group is ongoing and further discussion within the group is required.
3. Biodiversity (general)
JB stated that he had contacted KCC on the BD issue. They had sent back a leaflet on BD in Kent. This leaflet contains information on BD in Kent and various interested groups. JB thought that initially QED members could assess this leaflet and then report back to JB on any interesting aspects which could then be further explored.
Also KCC has invited JB to a Biological Records Centre seminar on 10th November. JB thought that it would be useful if a QED member could also attend this seminar.
Action: JB to circulate BD newsletter and suggest to KCC that they contact the QED group and invite them to the seminar
3) Council Framework: JB circulated to the group the new DBC framework & PK answered questions. Actions: JB to include handout with minutes
4) Accounts:
At present the balance in the account is £3487.08. This is after the £161.81 spent on the education unit at the allotment site.
RW stated that he might be undertaking an allotment lecture, which would incur a cost. He will advice the group if this develops.
DM stated that the cost of producing the composting leaflets would be about £2000. This project will be discussed with the Waste & Pollution group.
PK mentioned the LBV television project at Bluewater. It was suggested that QED might want to ask LBV to make a promotional video and show it at Bluewater. It was agreed that this would not be of great value at this time.
5) Festival:
There is a Festival Committee meeting arranged for Monday 23rd October to discuss next years event . RW stated he could not attend due to a prior commitment.
At the QED Steering Group Meeting held on 18 October, it was agreed that while the Festival appeared to be a success, the volume of noise from the nearby music stage and also the Hospital Radio Station was unacceptable. The QED Steering Group requested that these comments be past to the Dartford Festival Committee in the hope that the problem can be avoided in future years.
The group stated that they would start to consider ideas for next year's festival. In fact the group had an outstanding think tank session and hopefully some of these ideas will be considered.
6) Local Agenda 21:
PK discussed the issue of a Central Fund at DBC for LA21 action plans. The group agreed that this would be a positive way to progress with LA21.
JB discussed with the group that the LA21 strategy had been to Cabinet and was now in the process of being discussed with officers to gain further detail on action plans. QED need to be consulted on particular issues and JB asked the group to comment on these issues.
Action: JB to document and circulate the comments from the QED group on the related action plans.
7) Community Planning Week:
This is an initiative to "Enhance the Conservation Area of Greenhithe". A four-day event was held where Council Officers answered questions from residents and interested parties. PK & Rob Scott attended the event.
8) Feedback from groups:
Allotments:
RW stated that the LGA Advocacy Documentfor allotments is due out on the 26th October. It should be sent to all leisure & LA21 officers at Borough Councils. The QED group is listed as a good practice allotment.
RW attended a conference in Nottingham titled "Community Gardens". At the conference RW handed out a large number of QED newsletters, which were well received, and there was interest from participants from around the world.
Waste & Pollution:
DM asked what had happened to the resident packs, which were being produced by John Gunn.
Action: PK & JB to chase up
Health:
PS asked when the health group would be having their next meeting.
Action: PK & JB to arrange a meeting
9) AOB:
RW informed the group of a Going for Green conference regarding "Youth Interaction with the Environment". It was suggested that a representative from the Girls Grammar could attend.
Action: JB to contact school and discuss
JB mentioned the GlaxoWellcome "Community Evening". This idea is to get local groups and initiatives talking to each other. It was suggested that QED should be invited. Date 7th Dec. 6:30
Action: JB to arrange invites (Now completed) 3 invites available
Action: Will QED members please suggest three names
10) Next meeting: 29th Nov 2000 7:00 Enterprise House
PK stated that he would attend the festival meeting, but prior to these minutes being sent out PK has had to make his written apologies as a important issue has taken priority.
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