Present: Pat Still (Dartford Advocacy Network: Chair), Jan Bourne (Dartford Road Allotments), Alan Cremer (Dartford Borough Council), David Crowe (City of Westminster College), Said Gousy (Dartford Road Allotments), Graeme Laidlaw (QED Allotments Group), Richard Wiltshire (QED Website Manager).
1) Apologies for Absence: John Gunn, Miriam Lewis and Thelma Mills.
2) Notes from the Meeting of September 8, 1999: Accepted.
3) Matters Arising from the Notes:
a) Raised Cultivation Beds at Dartford Road Allotments: JB tabled detailed plans for the beds, including the sum to be requested from QED funds (£750 + VAT) for the purchase of the railway sleepers required. In response to a query from the Chair, it was confirmed that plotholders have been made aware of the raised beds and their purpose, and that the proposal for the beds has attracted strong support on the allotments. The detailed plans and funding request were unanimously approved.
b) Herbs Project: RW requested that this item be deferred to the next meeting. Agreed.
c) Meeting Venues: It was agreed that the Civic Centre was a suitable venue for meetings, but that henceforth meetings should start at 7.30 pm rather than 7.00 pm.
d) QED and DBC: There was a vigorous discussion of the roles of QED and DBC with respect to Local Agenda 21. DC felt that a stronger "steer" was required from the Council. RW believed that a rational relationship was contingent on DBC clarifying its approach to Local Agenda 21. AC told the group that a document was in preparation that would clarify DBC's approach, and noted that it had never been DBC's intent to lead QED: it should be a "bottom-up" initiative. RW noted the absence of health professionals, and suggested DBC could play a useful role in encouraging health professionals to attend. DC suggested that the terms of reference of the group should be examined as an agenda item at the next meeting, and this was agreed.
e) Promotion: It was agreed that although publicity can be generated on the basis of achievements, publicity should also be sought for attractive proposals.
f) Welcome Pack: A 'crisis card' distributed in Lancashire and supplied by ML was tabled, and will be made available to Mike Pratt and JG, who are taking this project forward.
g) Trees of Time and Place: It was reported that there had been 97 pledges and more than 250 seed boxes had been used.
4) Joint Transport and Health Groups Project on Cycling:
RW introduced the QED Transport Group's proposal for a Cycling Summit next spring. DC suggested that that vehicle-oriented organisations like AA/RAC should be invited as well to ensure a balanced view. The summit should also consider how cyclists can avoid putting themselves in danger. Other suggestions from the group were to invite the taxi drivers and BSM. All of these suggestions were agreed.
5) Outstanding Projects:
The group reviewed the list prepared by AC. Additional suggestions included one from AC for an ecumenical celebration focussing on Local Agenda 21. Other items may require inputs from health professionals.
6) Arrangements following Alan Cremer's Retirement:
It was unclear what secretarial support would be available for QED after January 1. RW agreed to serve as the group's secretary to ensure continuity until DBC makes a new appointment.
7) Priorities for 2000:
RW suggested four projects on which the group might focus: (i) Raised beds at Dartford Road Allotments (with QED Allotments Group), (ii) Promotion of allotments as healthy recreation for active elderly (with QED Allotments Group), (iii) Health Eating (with Health Promotion Authority), and (iv) Cycling Summit (with QED Transport Group). The group added another suggestion: (v) a lecture/seminar on GMOs (with QED Biodiversity Group). It was agreed that any other suggestions should be tabled at the next meeting. DC suggested that SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities for delivery, Threats in the way) should be applied to help the group prioritise these suggestions. RW suggested that a wider range of projects was required.
8) Any Other Business:
DC suggested that in future the Notes should include action points, with a clear indication of who was responsible for each action. RW agreed to ensure that an agenda would be circulated in advance for the next meeting.
9) Dates of Meetings in 2000:
The next meeting of the group will be at the Civic Centre on Wednesday January 19, 2000 from 7.30 pm. Subsequent meetings will be on March 15, May 31, June 21, September 6 and November 8, 2000, from 7.30 pm at the Civic Centre.
END: Return to the QED Health Group ...