Present: Paul Smith (Chair), Barbara Judge (UNA), John Prance (DBC), Richard Wiltshire (QED Allotments), Steve Weiss (National Power), Russell Thompson (Glaxo Wellcome), Malcolm Still (Tredegar Allotments).
1) Apologies for Absence: Julie Morton and David Meade.
2) Matters Arising from the Notes of the Last Meeting: The Group's response to the Kent LEAP was submitted and is now being considered by the Environment Agency.
3) Report from the Steering Group Meeting: The QED Steering Group will be setting up a Sub-Group as soon as possible to design and produce a QED Welcome Pack for new residents in Dartford. The Sub-Group will consist of a member from each Issue Group, plus two volunteers with relevant experience whose services have been secured through the QED Allotments Group to provide technical advice and ensure that the final product is of a high quality. A volunteer will be needed from the QED Waste Management Group, whose main task will be to ensure that the Pack includes relevant coverage of recycling facilities within the Borough.
4) Dartford Borough Council Local Agenda 21 Review Document: This went before the Environment, Housing and Community Services Committee in December. The next stage is to update various Departments of the Council on the implications of Local Agenda 21 for their work.
5) The Great Dartford Pumpkin Competition: Four primary schools have entered, each of which will receive seeds from Uplands Allotments in Handsworth in the spring, plus technical advice from local allotment gardeners. A video of the gardeners who have provided the seeds will also be available.
6) Projects / New Members:
Darenth Valley LEAP: The Group will need to prepare its response to the consultation document.
Recycling and Tredegar Allotments: Arrangements are in hand to obtain used and cleaned chemical barrels from Akzo Nobel, which will be brought to Littlebrook by lorry and then distributed from the power station's car park to local allotment sites. A donation will be requested in respect of each drum, with proceeds to assist the formation of an allotments association at the Tredegar site. There will be an opportunity for publicity, stressing the cooperation between the various partners in this project and the environmental benefits. Pallets have also been delivered to Tredegar Allotments, which will be used to construct the infrastructure for bee-keeping, and more pallets are required.
Dartford Festival: [see under 8) Other Business below]
Light Pollution: Julie Morton is arranging a public meeting for the end of February at a local hall (possibly in Wilmington) where astronomy equipment will be on display and a talk will be given about the problem of light pollution. The meeting will be advertised in advance in the local press. The Group thought it would be a good idea for the draft leaflet which Julie has produced to be finalised and printed so that it can be launched at the public meeting as well. Following a suggestion from Barbara, Richard will discuss with Julie the idea of approaching B&Q about a leaflet explaining to purchasers of high intensity external lights how they can avoid causing a nuisance to neighbours.
7) Election of New Chair: Personal commitments mean that Paul will have to stand down as Chair after the next meeting. It was agreed that a new chair would be appointed if possible at the next meeting, along with a deputy. Steve proposed a vote of thanks to Paul for the work he has undertaken on behalf of QED, which was unanimously endorsed.
8) Other Business: Barbara introduced a number of recent UNA publications, which will go to Alan Cremer for deposit in the new Environmental Information Resource Centre (provisionally scheduled to be located at Dartford Grammar School for Girls) and to the QED Health Group. Eric asked for further information to be made available on the Green Apple Award, including the criteria upon which it was based, to facilitate further publicity. There was a preliminary discussion of the exhibit for this year's Dartford Festival. The size of the tent needs to be determined, along with the relationship between it and the new Environmental Services tent. Steve stressed the importance of hands-on activities to interest visitors, and of attractions outside the tent to bring visitors in. Barbara thought that the Group's display might feature the way that one person's rubbish can become another person's necessity. Another idea worth exploring was to build something outside the tent that would attract attention over the day, such as a shed made from pallets and other waste materials, and compost bins. Alternatively, part of the Park could be landscaped.
9) Dates of Next Meetings: March 24, May 26, June 9 (provisional), July 7, September 15 and November 24.
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