Present: Barbara Judge (United Nations Association), Phil Kessel (Dartford Borough Council), Malcolm Still (Tredegar Allotments), Steve Weiss (National Power) and Richard Wiltshire (QED Website Manager).

1) Apologies for Absence: David Meade (Chair) and John Prance (Dartford Borough Council).

2) Notes from the Previous Meeting: These were accepted.

3) Matters Arising:

a) Residents Welcome Pack: No further information available at present.

b) QED Leaflet on Composting: RW reported that Bexley Council have agreed to investigate costs and other issues involved in reprinting its leaflet on composting under the QED logo.

c) Visit to Inspect a Composting Scheme for Municipal Green Waste in Bromley: RW reported that the following dates were convenient for John Prance and Malcolm Still, and had been offered to Bromley Council for comment: July 24, July 25 (pm only), July 28, July 31, August 2 (pm only) and August 4.

d) Environmental Audit: PK reported that the Audit is now undergoing consultations within the Civic Centre.

e) Draft Local Agenda 21 Strategy: PK reported that the new Environmental Promotions Officer, Justin Bettey, would be in post from July 24 (provisional date) and that his responsibilities would include taking the Strategy forward. BJ reported that the UNAs in Gravesham, Dartford and Bexley are considering holding a joint public meeting in Crayford Town Hall in early November to discuss current prospects for LA21 locally, nationally and internationally. Speakers to include UNA UK, local authority and Environment Agency officials. PK noted the importance of discussing environmental issues affecting the Thames Gateway as a whole, since these receive only passing attention in current regional planning guidance. RW suggested that LA21 representatives should be invited from all the local authorities in the Thames Gateway, as observers and to assist networking. RW agreed to send BJ suggestions on content for keynote address, linking LA21 to Best Value and other initiatives affecting local authorities. It was agreed that space would be made available on the QED website to advertise the meeting if it goes ahead.

4) Recycling / Composting: It was agreed that discussion of (a) facilities for disposal of used cooking oil from domestic sources, and (b) reuse of life expired wheely bins for use on allotments as composting bins, would be held over until the next meeting.

5) Environmental Monitoring / Quality Indicators: No pressing issues were raised.

6) Planning Issues: DM had reported that there had been no contentious planning applications since the last meeting. The Group noted that the plans for the Stone Lodge Leisure Complex had recently been turned down by the DETR.

7) Dartford Festival: PK reported that it was unlikely that display materials would be forthcoming from the new waste collection contractor this year. RW reported that Richard Stone (QED Allotments Group Chair) and PK are making good progress with the composting exhibit, which would be the main exhibit covering waste management issues this year. Exhibits from other groups will include Health Education (Health Group), Beekeeping at Tredegar Allotments (Allotments and Biodiversity Groups), Raised Beds at Dartford Road Allotments (Allotments and Health Groups), and Bird Boxes from Scrap Timber (Waste, Biodiversity and Allotment Groups). The Planning Policy Section of DBC will contribute a display on the LA21 implications of the Local Plan Review. PK reported that the tent will be 30' x 100' this year.

8) Future Business:

a) Talk on Waste Disposal: PK proposed a public lecture or debate on waste disposal issues, to which KCC would be invited as the disposal authority. It was agreed that the content and advertising would both have to be attractive, and that this would be an agenda item at the next meeting. RW suggested that this might be linked to a public lecture series on a variety of environmental themes.

b) Disposal of Unwanted Vehicles: MS proposed that the Group consider ways of making available a central point at which unwanted vehicles could be left and disposed of, to counter the widespread problem of dumping.

9) Any Other Business: PK reported that the waste collection contract had been awarded to Cleanway, and noted that difficulties had been experienced in some areas during the transition between the two contracts.

10) Date of Next Meeting: 13 September 2000, from 7.30 pm at the Civic Centre.

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