Attending: Richard Wiltshire, Pat Still (Chair), Malcolm Still, Justin Bettey, David Meade, Phil Kessel.
Apologies: Richard Stone.
Festival: JB informed the group that the theme for next year will be "Gardening". The Festival organisers have booked a BBC "Gardening Road show" to appear next year. JB also stated that there would only be one music stage next year so the problem of excessive noise should not be an issue. The allotment presentation will also take place at the Festival next year. RW informed the group that he had discussed the allotment presentation with the festival Committee and stated that the presentation might get overshadowed at that time of the year by the festival and other summer events. RW felt that the allotment presentation should stay at the normal date. PK stated that if any DBC activity/display wanted to join the QED marquee then they would have to obtain approval from the QED Steering group. MS stated that a sub QED group would be set-up solely to arrange and manage the QED marquee next year. Action: RW to discuss allotment presentation issue with Mr Humphries. Action: MS to inform JB when festival meetings are to take place and whether JB needs to attend to facilitate any requirements from DBC
News from groups:
Allotments: The allotments group had their meeting on 12th November and their newsletter was also sent out. As part of the Boroughs "Safety Strategyî"the allotments group had set-up an "Allotment watch" scheme. The local constabulary collated information from this scheme. RW informed the group that the local constabulary have lost all the information/forms that have been supplied to them over the last two years. The local constabulary have admitted responsibility. RW stated that the future of the scheme is to be considered. DM asked if minutes of the allotment meetings could be supplied to the Chairs. Action: JB to supply minutes of allotment group meetings to chairs.
Waste & Pollution: No news. The group will be supporting the QED marquee next year.
Bio-diversity: MS stated that the group would be supporting the QED marquee next year. The pond on Tredegar allotments is now complete but MS is waiting for their NWKCP to supply the final plants. MS is also working on fencing and seating on the allotment site. MS informed the group that a local painting /arts group would like to use the site for some paintings. RW stated that these paintings could be used for the festival next year. Action: MS to keep group up to date on above issue.
Accounts/Expenditure: Currently the QED budget has funds of £3093.19.
"Joydens Wood Support Group": DM & MS brought up the issue of "Joydens Wood Support Group". They have asked for a donation from QED to support their tractor that needed a major overhaul recently that cost them £281. The tractor is used to move heavy tools and materials around the Wood as well as dragging tress and logs. The group took a vote and agreed that the best option would be to grant the ìJoydens Wood Support Groupî a £500 cheque now and thereafter an annual grant of £250 towards tractor and tool maintenance and repair. This grant would be subject to QED steering group agreement each year. Along with this QED would pay for a plaque to be produced and placed onto the tractor to state that QED had donated funds towards the maintenance of the tractor and associated tools/equipment. Action: JB to raise cheque. Action: DM to contact JB to let him know when the next "Joydens Wood Support Group" meeting is.
Potato Day: MS informed the group that RS would like funds totalling £300 to cover the trip to Coventry for the Potatoe day trip. The group agreed this funding.
Bee Keeping: MS on behalf of Peter Fry asked the group for funding to support the purchase of a new presentation beehive and maintenance of other hives. Peter Fry uses the presentation hive at various events, which generates great interest. Other hives have unfortunately suffered from some vandalism. The group agreed a fund of £250 to purchase a new presentation hive and repairs to the damaged hives. QED will also pay for a plaque to be placed on the presentation hive stating that QED funded it. The plaque would be a condition of the funding. Action: MS to ask PF to contact JB to discuss details
QED Banner: MS requested that QED purchase a large banner to be used at next yearís festival and other events. Action: JB to investigate costs
Japan trip: PS informed the group that she may have the opportunity to visit Japan next year for a mental health conference and requested part funding. Unfortunately PS did not have full details of the trip. In principal the group approved the funding but would need full details of costs etc before anything could be approved. The group did state that conditions attached to any funding would be that PS promotes QED during her trip and produces a report on her return. Action: PS to bring full details to next meeting and to also investigate when payment of trip would be required so that it can be budgeted in either 2001 or 2002 financial year.
AOB:
URBAN: PK presented to the group a European Funding project called Urban. There is over £7 million available for certain wards in Dartford and Gravesham (see attached)
Bexley Environmental Award Scheme: DM presented to the group a Bexley Environmental award scheme that "Joydens Wood Support Group" had been a winner in. DM suggested whether DBC could get involved with such a scheme. PK stated that it is unlikely due to cost and budget considerations. Action: DM to supply details of the scheme to JB who will investigate.
Gardening for Wildlife Scheme: JB informed the group that some Kent Local Authorities and the Wildlife Trust are running a project whereby local residents and schools enter into a gardening competition. The competition consists of owners completing a questionnaire about their garden and how well it is adapted to support wildlife. Professional assessors who mark the gardens then visit the finalists. The scheme costs £1000 to join, which DBC does not have funds for. JB asked the group whether it was a project that QED would like to get involved with. Action:Can QED members please read the included information and report back at the next meeting. Action: JB to investigate if allotments can be included within the scheme.
NB: JB has discussed this issue verbally with the organisers who see no reason why allotments can not participate. NOTE: This decision will be confirmed at the next meeting of "Kent Wildlife Trust" that JB will be attending.
Glaxo Community Evening: JB informed the group that Glaxo are to have their "Charity" community evening on the 11th December at 6:30. MS & PS stated that they could attend. The group agreed this. Action: JB to contact Glaxo and arrange invites.
Error in "Waste and Pollution" minutes 24th October 2001: MS raised the issue that the minutes of the above meeting did not state that he was in attendance. JB admitted that this was an error in the minutes and that MS was in attendance.
Next meeting: January 16th 7:00 JB will supply a list of 2002 dates at this meeting and also book the meeting room.
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