Present: Paul Smith (Chair), Barbara Judge (United Nations Assoc.), Richard Wiltshire (Dartford Allotments Steering Committee), David Meade (Woodlands Trust - Joydens Wood), John Prance (DBC)

1) Apologies: Bob Gagg, John Gunn, Graeme Laidlaw and Julie Morton. It was reported that Olive Robertson and Margaret Willis (Soroptimist Int.) have resigned from the QED Transport and Waste Management Groups, and noted that the QED Waste Management Group needs to attract an active membership from local businesses.

2) Notes from Last Meeting: Accepted. Not all those present had received the notes, and it was agreed that another copy would be distributed with the notes from the present meeting.

3) Matters Arising from the Notes:

National Spring Clean: The Mayor is to present the certificates at 7.45 on Tuesday June 23 at the Civic Centre. All members of this Group are welcome to attend.

Leaflets: 520 copies of the business awareness leaflet are due to be distributed with the June Chamber of Commerce Newsletter.

Leaflet Carousels: Action awaited.

Darenth Country Park QED Project: The QED Allotments Group is considering its position in respect of the proposed "model allotments", in the light of the security problem at the Country Park.

HDRA Composting Leaflets: These cost £300 per thousand. It was agreed that an expenditure of this magnitude could not be justified at this time.

Internet Page and Year Planner: Text for the internet page has yet to be drafted, but the entry for the year planner was submitted on time.

4) Dartford Festival: It was reported that Phil Kessel, John Gunn and Richard Wiltshire are to visit the Green Roadshow in Walthamstow early next month, and a report to Group Chairs will follow. It was also reported that the Waste Display formerly organised by Pinbins is already booked elsewhere for the weekend of the Dartford Festival. Groundwork have been invited to give a display on the conservation of Dartford Marshes. The QED Youth Action Group will not be holding a waste-related fashion show. There are doubts that RESPOND will be able to prepare a display in time, and may require assistance from DBC.

It was agreed that the QED Waste Management Group's contribution to the marquee could include:

€ Information (text/photos) on this year's National Spring Clean.

€ A display of text/photos plus leaflets on recycling and composting on allotments (to be supplied by the QED Allotments Group).

€ Information on sources of carbon dioxide emissions (the Chair and David Meade to liaise on this).

€ Information on domestic energy loss and energy conservation.

€ Information on methods of disposing of garden wastes.

€ Advice on recycling jars through bottle banks.

€ Large and small wheely-bins, with an invitation to households to trade in the former for the latter (John Prance to provide bins).

It was agreed that some of this information could be presented as a quiz, but there was uncertainty about the availability of prizes. The Chair will liaise directly with individual members of the Group over final details of the Festival display. The order for tables, chairs, display boards and car passes was agreed.

5) Other Business: Calendars for the Council's waste paper collection scheme are now being distributed to households in the Borough. Dartford Road Allotments Association is to hold an "Open Day" for the University of the Third Age on June 20 from 3 pm: members of the QED Waste Management Group are welcome to attend.

6) Date of Next Meeting: September - precise date to be arranged.

END: Return to the QED Waste Management Group home page ...