Those Present: Alan Thrussell (Chair), Pat Still (Advocacy), Thelma Mills (Health Promotion), Said Goursy, Richard Wiltshire, Graeme Laidlaw (QED Allotments), John Gunn (UNA), Alan Cremer (DBC).

1) Minutes of the Meeting on March 4th.

In section 11 the word "relevant" was changed to "relevance".

2) Matters Arising from the Minutes

NEWTOWN SUMMER FAIR: This will be run by the Newtown QED Community Group in St Edwin's Pleasance. The Health group offered some support to Julie Morton.

GREEN AND WHITE PAPERS: John and Thelma tabled summaries of the White Paper on the future of the NHS and the Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation". Copies will be distributed with the Health Group Notes.

DARENTH COUNTRY PARK: Health Group members were concerned about the lease on Darenth Country Park. Concern was expressed that the lease may not be permanent and that on expiry the land might be used for building purposes. Richard Wiltshire will discuss this with the Country Park Advisory Group of which he is a member. It is known that development on the site is constrained by the Green Belt.

3) Terms of Reference

Draft terms of reference were tabled by Alan Thrussell. These were adopted with minor amendments and a copy is enclosed with these notes (appended below).

4) Year Planner

The publishers are continuing with work on the Year Planner. The final decision concerning the advertising content will be made by the Steering Group. Alan Thrussell, Pat, Thelma and Graeme will work together on the content of the Health Group contribution when deadlines and the amount of space available is confirmed.

5) Dartford Festival

It is expected that the QED marquee will be the same size as in 1997 and will be sited adjacent to the "Green Roadshow". Health promotion may have a stall as part of the Health Group's exhibit. It has been agreed that the QED exhibit as a whole will concentrate on "local issues". Suggested topics included mental health, learning disability, diet, healthy eating and allotment gardening. The overall plan will be finalised at the next meeting.

6) QED Internet Web-Site

Richard Wiltshire tabled a paper with the Web-Site details. Richard and Graeme are contacts for contributions for inclusion. Alan Thrussell will discuss content with them.

7) Health Action Zones

Our Area was not included in the first round but West Kent Health Authority is persisting and will probably bid again next year. Part of this campaign includes the formation of a "Health Regeneration Team" for Dartford and Gravesham. As its main theme is partnership the QED Health Group could be represented on its committee. Its aim is to improve primary care and GP facilities, overcome disadvantage, improve health promotion and set targets for better health in the area. A possible target area is Swanscombe with its high youth unemployment figure. This could be tackled in conjunction with the Swanscombe and Greenhithe QED Community Group. Alan Thrussell tabled documents concerning the Thames Gateway Plus application for Health Action Zone status.

8) Priorities for the Future

Lists of potential issues raised at the two previous meetings were used to gain an idea of the broad range of subjects open to the Group to consider. It was agreed to find three achievable targets for the coming year. In addition the Group will contribute to the Dartford Festival and to the Health Action Zone planning when possible. This will be a key agendum for the next Health Group meeting.

Consideration will be given to a programme of campaigns to promote the benefits of an area of health action, where to go for information, avoidable risks. Thelmaís skills in Health Promotion can be built upon to heighten this campaign. Consideration may be given to one Summer and one Winter campaign.

9) Other Business

The trip to Kent House Leisure Gardens was very successful. There is the possibility of a trip to Sutton where there is a model Special Needs Allotment Gardening Centre.

Next Meeting: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ORIGINAL DATE OF MAY 20TH. IS NOT FEASIBLE. DATE WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN AGREED WITH THE CHAIR.

Appendix: Draft Terms of Reference

The Health Group will operate on a voluntary basis within the overall aims and objectives of the Local Agenda 21 Initiative QED (Quality Environment for Dartford).Membership of the Group is open to all individuals and all sectors of the local community.The main aims and objectives of the Group are:

• To promote a positive attitude and encourage and facilitate positive actions toward creating an environment which is conducive to a healthier lifestyle for all.
• To work with statutory and voluntary agencies and organisations in order to facilitate the dissemination of information which will enable people to make healthier choices.
• To act as a pressure Group to ensure that those who have an adverse effect on health by their acts or omissions are made aware of those effects and are encouraged to take a more positive approach to health creation.
• To promote and encourage the general understanding that ìHealthî is a positive term and does not simply mean the absence of disease.
• To provide support for, and work jointly with the other Q.E.D. Groups in furthering the philosophy, aims and aspirations of Local Agenda 21.

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