Present: Graeme Laidlaw (Dartford Road Allotments), David Meade (Chair), Julie Morton (QED Steering Group), Malcolm Still (Tredegar Allotments), Dave Thomas (DBC) Steve Weiss (National Power) and Richard Wiltshire (QED Website Manager).
1) Apologies for Absence: Jon Fisher and Barbara Judge.
2) Notes from the Previous Meeting: Accepted.
3) Matters Arising from the Notes of the Previous Meeting:
i. Darenth LEAP: The chair had received no additional comments from members, and had submitted comment under his own name.
ii. Groundwork Project: A fax from Groundwork Kent Thames-side (GKT) entitled "A Composting Scheme for Dartford: Update" was tabled. Members of the Group expressed disappointment that no representative from GKT had been available to attend this (or the previous) meeting to answer questions. The fax was discussed point by point, and the following issues were highlighted as requiring further clarification from GKT, which will be sought by the Chair:
a) Pallets: It was pointed out that when the project was first proposed by GKT the representatives from the QED Allotments Group had been assured by GKT that the project would not interfere with supplies of pallets to allotment sites. Concern was expressed that supplies have subsequently dried up.
b) Premises: The sum of £500 allocated to the project by the QED Steering Group in September 1999 included £160 to cover a possible application for planning permission. It was unclear whether a fresh request for funds for this purpose would be forthcoming in the 2000-2001 financial year.
c) Project Costs: No breakdown had been provided of the £1,000 in costs (£500 budgeted to GKT and £500 to QED) incurred thus far by the project, and how this related to the budget included in the original proposal.
d) Future Costs: No projection had been provided of costs to be incurred in 2000-2001 or of future claims likely to be made on the QED budget.
e) Follow-up: It was unclear what provision GKT were proposing with regard to the essential follow-up stage of the project defined in the statement of aims in the original proposal. If QED is not in a position to recruit volunteers, how will this aim be met, by whom, and at what cost?
f) Funds Raised from Sales: The Group expressed a strong desire for such funds to be specifically earmarked either for reinvestment in the expansion of the project and/or for donation to a suitable local charity (such as Arrow Riding Centre) as an incentive to encourage volunteering.
g) Final Report: A final report evaluating the successes and limitations of this (pilot) project, including financial and technical details, should be supplied to QED on completion of Stage 2.
The Group agreed to recommend to the QED Steering Group that the sum of £340 set aside for the project in September 1999 be paid to GKT in the current financial year, provided that points c) and d) are addressed in time and to the QED Steering Group's satisfaction.
iii. Neighbourhood Fora / Focus Groups: No further information was available on the future of neighbourhood fora, although an increased emphasis on focus groups is likely. Members of the group were encouraged to respond to the current Best Value consultation document.
iv. Residents Welcome Pack: John Gunn and Phil Kessel had tabled a promising draft at the recent meeting of the QED Health Group.
v. Recycled Computers: Further action is pending.
vi. Other Purchases: The strimming and shredding equipment to be used at Tredegar Allotments and elsewhere has been delivered, as have the railway sleepers for the raised beds at Dartford Road Allotments.
4) Recycling: Dave Thomas explained that the current contracts for cleansing and recycling in the Borough expire at the end of June, and a new, unified contract to come into effect from July 1 is now being drawn up. This will be more flexible than the existing contracts and address the lessons of past experience, including the need to integrate refuse collection with recycling initiatives. There are concerns that the costs of collection will rise: Dartford currently has the lowest collection costs in Kent and the fifth lowest in the country. Recycling credits will continue to flow from KCC, and will be used to offset part of the cost of recycling schemes. Around 50% of local households participated in the old waste paper collection scheme, in which bags were provided, but this proportion has halved under the new scheme, which excludes cardboard. The proposal to visit Bromley to inspect composting of municipal green wastes on allotments has still to be progressed.
5) Environmental Monitoring / Quality Indicators: An application was noted under the Environmental Protection Act 1970 for permission to undertake lead smelting at a site within the Borough: this activity is regulated by DBC Environmental Health. The Chair welcomed receipt of the most recent Borough Air Quality Report.
6) Planning Applications: Lists are now routinely distributed to QED group chairs. The Chair highlighted a current application for remediation of a former landfill site at Horns Cross for use a public open space and play area.
7) Dartford Festival: The issue of enhanced DBC participation in the QED marquee awaits further consideration. A free display on energy efficiency may be booked. The 2000 Festival will be held on July 22-23.
8) Future Business: This will be considered as an agenda item at the next meeting.
9) Any Other Business:
i. Potato Day: Places are still available on the free coach to Ryton on February 6 to attend this event. The trip has been organised by the QED Allotments Group and is open to anyone: call Richard Wiltshire at 01322-409184 to book.
ii. DETR Consultation Documents: The following (with expiry dates) are available free of charge from DETR at 0870-1226-236 (237 for fax):
10) Date of Next Meeting: March 22, 2000 from 7.30 pm (NB: not 7.00 pm). Graeme Laidlaw gave apologies for absence in advance.
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