Present: David Meade (Chair), Barbara Judge (UNA), John Prance (DBC), Malcolm Still (QED Allotments Group), Steve Weiss (National Power), Richard Wiltshire (QED Website Manager).

1) Apologies for Absence: Julie Morton and Graeme Laidlaw.

2) Notes from the Previous Meeting: Accepted.

3) Matters Arising from the Notes of the Previous Meeting:

(a) Residents Welcome Pack: JP reported that a list of local charities involved with recycling had been supplied to Julie Morton by DBC.

(b) Draft Local Agenda 21 Strategy: RW stated that he had submitted comments to DBC and noted that no reference to QED was included in the document.

(c) Dartford Borough Council Local Plan Review - Deposit Draft March 2000: DM reported he had submitted comments on behalf of the Group. BJ stated that she had submitted comments independently.

(d) Dartford Borough Council Local Plan Review - Sustainability Appraisal March 2000: DM Reported he had submitted comments on behalf of the Group.

4) Recycling/Composting:

(a) RW informed the Group that as yet he had been unable to arrange a date for a visit to inspect a composting scheme for municipal green waste in Bromley.

(b) RW stated that the Allotments group were proposing to produce a QED leaflet on composting. Dm supplied a copy of a leaflet on composting produced by Bexley.

(c) JP informed the Group that the new waste collection contract had been placed with Cleanaway Ltd and that the possibility of a kerbside collection of compostable domestic waste was being explored. Discussions are still proceeding within DBC on subsidising cost of purchase of composting bins by local residents.

5) Environmental Monitoring/Quality Indicators: The Environmental Audit is awaiting publication and issue for public consultation

6) Planning Applications: DM drew attention to three current applications in respect of an application by Argo Wiggins for a new gas fired power plant, gas monitoring measures at Swanscombe and consultation for re-contouring and restoration of former landfill site at Bakers Hole, Swanscombe using soil derived from brownfield site remediation.

7) Dartford Festival: The Group agreed to support the QED Allotments Group proposed display on recycling/composting of domestic waste. DBC to explore the possibility of obtaining display material, etc. from the new waste collection contractor.

8) Future Business: Agenda items to include: facilities for disposal of cooking oil from domestic sources, re-use of life expired wheely bins on allotments as composting bins.

9) Any Other Business: DM informed members that the QED Annual General Meeting will be held in conjunction with the next Steering Group meeting on 12 July 2000 - details of time, venue and agenda to be advised.

10) Date of Next Meeting: Wednesday 5 July 2000 from 7.30pm at the Civic Centre.

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