Present: Sue Jones (Site Secretary), Jenny Howell (Chair), Wendy Gunter (Treasurer), Richard Masterman, Martin Pasek (Operational Support) Apologies: Alex Brown, Dan Phillips, Ian Douglas. General attendees: None.
Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising – Jenny.
Site Secretary’s report. Sue reported that, as last month, there are no new tenants, and that the site is full, bar one plot temporarily needed for works access. The waiting list stands at around sixty-five.
She said that overgrown plots were becoming apparent, and that she would be undertaking her rounds for the Clean-Or-Quit Notice process.
She attended the Cardiff Allotments Site Reps Meeting. The Council’s allotments officer apologised for the communications difficulties that reps had been experiencing, but it was unclear to Sue, what steps would be taken to resolve the backlog of outstanding matters.
The CAHA reps said that they were in the process of looking at a rewording of the Tenancy Agreement to clarify some points, and that they would submit it to the Council for adoption. They were also looking at suggestions for simplifying and for speeding the Clean-Or-Quit Notice procedure.
Raised Agenda Items – Jenny.
Grant – Wendy. Wendy reported that this years money was now in the bank.
Brick cubicles restoration – Wendy. Wendy said that quotes were still awaited, but that she was also willing to start tendering for them herself. The Committee backed her, and suggested that a schedule of the specific jobs required be drafted. AP Wendy plus all.
Fly-tipping, trough fouling etc. – Wendy. Wendy said that a plot holder had been apprehended whilst dumping clippings in the centre car park, and that another had been witnessed washing produce of mud in a water trough.
The Committee remind all, that fly-tipping anywhere on the site, or over its boundaries, is a serious breach of the terms of tenancy, and may very well result in the loss of that tenure, and even in prosecution. The Committee is considering what action to take re this instance.
Please do not wash tools, produce, or anything else in the water troughs. The reasons for this are too obvious to need further explanation.
Website – Wendy. The Committee agreed that additional effort was needed to keep the website updated.
Shop – Richard. Richard said that the sale days had been successful, with considerable interest amongst about fifty customers. He thought that a clearer position as to the suitable times of year, frequency of opening etc. for the shop had emerged from the experience, and from his discussions with the customers. Wendy noted that a commendable sum had been received from it too.
Any Other Business
Composting toilet – Richard. Richard repeated what Ian had said at the last meeting, that there is interest among some plot holders, in having these facilities, if possible, towards the southeast end of the site.
Sue and Jenny again mentioned that the Council let plots on the site on the basis that it is defined as one without toilets, and that that those which are charge higher rentals. However, it was agreed that a major problem, as with other proposals, is that with only very few active Committee members, there simply is not the volunteer effort available to project manage the installation, nor to maintain it afterwards.
Sue reiterated her and earlier Site Secretaries’ requests, that plot holders make proper representations for any proposals either in writing to her – preferably by email – or by attending a Committee meeting.
There was no further business and the meeting ended at 1938.
The next PPAA meeting will be on Tuesday, 1st October, at the Butcher’s Arms, Canton, at 1900.
Pontcanna Permanent Allotments 