Present: Richard Wiltshire, Paul Smith, Ian Hammerton, Isobel Perry, John Gunn, Laurence Gandy

1) Apologies for Absence: Keith Wincole, Alan Thrussell, Dev Sharma, Pat Martin, Alan Cremer.

2) Minutes of the Last Meeting

John Gunn pointed out that no apology for his absence at the previous meeting had been minuted and that his apology was sent. PK acknowledged this.

Isobel Perry reported that she had met Emma Reynolds to discuss the Local Agenda 21 dance at this year's Dartford Festival and that one of the members of the Youth Group would make a pre recording for the narration to the dance.

3) B&Q and "QUEST"

Neil Williams, the Environmental Officer at B&Q's at Dartford, was introduced to the meeting. He advised on the Quest Initiative being adopted by B&Q stores on a Nationwide basis. Neil described the range of environmental initiatives which have been introduced and stated that all B&Q stores would be adopting the Quest Initiative. Of particular interest to the Steering Group was the possibility of obtaining grant of up to £250.00 from B&Q which could be used on B&Q products. Ian Hammerton commented that coppicing material could possibly be provided from Joydens Wood (via Woodland Trust) but that he had problems in physically removing the wood from the wooded area. The issue of producing local charcoal for resale by B&Q was discussed and it was even suggested that QED could look into producing its own charcoal. Isabel Perry questioned whether it would be possible to have some form of QED display within the B&Q store at Dartford and Neil Williams said this may be possible.

4) Matters Arising from the Minutes

3a: Lottery Bid: Lawrence Gandy commented that the lottery bid had been unsuccessful.

3c: Year Planner: Phil Kessel requested from individual Chairs for information to be contained within the QED Year Planner.

5) Accounts

PK reported that approximately £450.00 had been spent or committed from the QED budget.

6) Group reports (See Groups' minutes)

Youth Action: Phil Kessel and Isobel Perry gave an update on the progress being made by the Youth Action Group for their sponsored sleep-out. Other Chairs had stated they had not received the minutes of the Youth Action Group. Phil Kessel stated that these had been sent but would send copies with the minutes of the Steering Group.

Allotments: Richard Wiltshire commented that the Allotment's Group hoped to work with the Shell Better Britain Campaign to produce a project profile for allotment associations.

Swanscombe and Greenhithe: No report was possible from the Swanscombe & Greenhithe Community Group but Phil Kessel gave an update to the effect that the newsletter had been delivered. It was agreed that a copy of the newsletter would be sent with the minutes.

7) Funding Requests

Approval was given to John Strong to spend up to £200.00 on the QED Transport Car-Free Day Competition. Richard Wiltshire requested approval of expenditure on transport expenses of up to £110.00 for Bradford and £65.00 for Upland Allotments Shell Better Britain Campaign Seminars and also £30.00 for the Becontree Permaculture Course and these were approved. Also, Richard requested approval of membership by the Allotments' Group to the National Federation of City Farms for the sum of £15.00 in order to obtain legal advice and necessary insurance costs in relations to the Darenth Country Park Project.

8) Darenth Country Park QED Project

Richard Wiltshire reported that the Biodiversity Surveys were going ahead and that Respond has provided old carpets to assist with weed clearance. Also a water supply survey had been undertaken.

9) Dartford Festival 1998

Richard stated he would no longer be attending and the group asked that Phil Kessel report back relevant issues to the group. A special meeting of the QED Chairs was arranged for the 21 May to specifically deal with the Dartford Festival and a QED presentation.

10) Date of Next Meeting

16th June 1998 at 7.30pm at Enterprise House within the Small Meeting Room. A pre-agenda meeting was arranged for 7.00pm on the 3rd June at the Civic Centre prior to the QED Transport meeting.

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