Attendance: David Crowe, Richard Wiltshire (also substituting for Richard Stone), David Meade, Malcolm Still, Patricia Still, Phil Kessel, Sandra Woodfall.
Apologies: Richard Stone.
Patricia chaired the meeting.
Issues from Minutes of Previous Meeting: Phil to request information from Stefan Webb regarding Community Planning - community plan is still developing. ACTION: PHIL
There had been a slight overspend on the QED budget for the year 2002/03.
Introductions: Phil gave an outline of changes that are being discussed at Dartford BC relating to Licensing changes. It is very likely that Phil will have to take on more environmental health responsibilities around pollution. This may result in LA21 being moved to another part of the Council - either Community services or the Policy Unit
Sandra gave a brief background to her previous work involvement around Local Agenda 21, LA21 community forums, school work, health promotion and various local and national campaigns and projects
Waste & Recycling Projects : Due to other commitments, David Thomas was unable to give his presentation. This will be undertaken at a future meeting.
Feedback from QED meeting with Cllr Muckle & Directors: Generally this had been well received and needed to be followed up in terms of QED becoming involved in relevant projects that the Council were to undertake and for the Council to keep QED informed of appropriate initiatives.
Accounts: The expenditure so far was £3011.86 leaving a balance of £1984.14
Dartford Festival: PK urged all chairs to prepare plans for the Dartford Festival. He referred to a letter from Claire Munday requesting if Community Health Council could use the QED marquee. Agreed & PK to contact. RW advised that the Allotment Group had been asked for clear undertakings from members as to what projects could be presented at the Festival. Likely to be more individually based than as a group.
AGM and Issues for Next Year:
a) Poop scoop bags - these have been purchased with QED logo on. The discussion around the campaign to get these out into the borough resulted in the following;
b) Allotment tools - Malcolm agreed to give Phil names and times for a photo shoot at Wilkinsons for use with the press - the tools have now been distributed
c) QED/Dartford Festival - There had been some problem with ordering a marquee for the CHC to have a display/stall at the Dartford Show - this resulted in space not being available. It was agreed that if QED are to take part in the festival next year that things needed to be planned by March.
d) Anti - social behaviour - David raised about the issue of anti social behaviour being a priority for the public. After some discussion it was agreed that the Community Safety Officer be invited to attend the next Steering Group meeting to discuss their role, how things work etc.
e) Phil explained about the announcement that had been made earlier in the day regarding Office of Deputy Prime Minister funds to Dartford/Gravesham regarding developing Sustainable Communities. It was agreed that someone would be invited to make a presentation around this issue at a future meeting of the Steering Group.
It was agreed that the Community Safety Officer be invited to attend a meeting on 17 September to give a half hour presentation. It was also agreed that someone be invited to present on the ODPM Sustainable Communities project at the AGM meeting to take place on 29 October. It was agreed that after the AGM the group would decide how to encourage more people to join QED
Issues from the Groups:
Allotments - Richard reported that the minutes on the website are not up to date which he would be doing shortly. Richard had attended a conference recently where people had commented on how useful they had found the QED Allotment website. Richard also explained about the Allotment Regeneration Initiative which QED had been involved in. There was an in depth discussion about allotments and their use by groups that required access to toilets - Richard explained about funds that may be available to help.
Health - David had attended a meeting of the Health Action Team on 27/3 where his project proposal for data collection was discussed. There were some links with work being undertaken by Dr Ann Palmer and report of which would be available in September. David did feel that his project proposal would compliment the work of Dr Ann Palmer and agreed to send a copy of the draft report for circulation with the minutes. He expressed some concern about the future of the health group.
Waste - the meeting for 7 June had been cancelled as minutes had not been available. No date for a future meeting has been set. Finances for attending Kent Waste Forum requested.
Funding for Biodiversity Group attendance at conference also requested
Any Other Business:
Community Plan - Phil requested that any comment on the community plan be fed back to him - there was a detailed discussion about the role of Groundwork and its links with other environmental groups
Richard requested funding (£140.00 + train fare) to attend a conference on 17 September - a report of the conference would go on the website. This was agreed.
The meeting finished at 9.10
Dates of future meetings:
17 September: Community Safety Officer to be invited to attend
29 October: AGM and presentation about the Office of Deputy Prime Minister announcement of funding for Sustainable Communities in Dartford/Gravesham
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