Month: March 2023

Minutes for PPAA Committee Meeting held on 13th March 2023 at 19:00 by Zoom

Present:  Richard Masterman (Chair), Sue Jones, Dan Philips, Wendy Gunter (Treasurer)

Apologies: Alan Coombs

Previous Minutes:

Approved. 

Matters arising from the Committee meeting 7^th February 2023 addressed as the agenda.

Chair Report

As agenda

Site Representative 

Council

Richard had attended the Site Reps meeting 15^th February 2023 and had circulated notes.

It was noted that allotment committees do not have authority to intervene with any potential dispute and only the Council can adjudicate and implement disciplinary action.

The Allotment Officer had also stated that “associations” could not take on a plot without express permission from the Council.

PPA

Covered by agenda items.

Treasurer’s report

Wendy confirmed she had updated the account and repeated her request that plot holders identify bank transfers with plot number and purpose of payment: ie: subs, shop, polytunnel.

Plot re-inspection and termination notices

Monitoring of previously noted overgrown plots to continue and nothing to report from the Council regarding issue of notices.

Clearance of overgrown plots and vacancy list

Great work carried out over the last few months.

Sue reported that there is currently only one plot available. All others now occupied.

Management of trees and hedgerows

Richard reported that he had recently received direct emails from two concerned plot holders regarding protection of wildlife habitat. The Committee confirmed that it was fully committed to preservation of habitat and diversity of wildlife and Richard would respond to the plot holders on behalf of the committee.

It was agreed that whilst management of “wild” common areas of the allotment is essential any future work of significance would be discussed and agreed prior to implementing.

It was agreed that a winter work plan would be developed for future seasons.

Seed potatoes and shop

Richard reported that sales of seed potatoes had been popular and additional stock had been purchased. 

Trolley

Two new puncture proof wheels have now been fitted and new plywood sides are being constructed.

The trolley is now functional again.

Stone wall repair

Following a very helpful meeting, work to repair the stone wall damaged by a fallen tree could now be planned. Thanks to Richard Staniforth for his time and expert advice.

Water troughs

Frost has damaged the above ground pipework to two troughs. Sue agreed to source a plumber to repair. 

Polytunnel

Dan confirmed that construction of 6 No. new grow beds was now mostly complete and a delivery of compost to fill the new beds was expected shortly. All beds have now been allocated.

Existing compost heap

The large heap of waste material adjacent to the old shop building had been explored by a plot holder for usable compost and, whilst it is contaminated with non-degradable items including glass and plastic, if carefully riddled it provides excellent material which is available to all plot holders providing that care and appropriate PPE (stout boots, hand/eye protection) are employed.

AGM and Plant Sale

Date for AGM to be agreed. 2^nd, 16^th or 30^th April 2023 suggested.

Any Other Business

Nothing further to report

Date of next meeting

19:00 Tuesday 4^th April 2023 on site or Zoom.

The maintenance of security fencing, walls etc., is, under the Local Management Agreement the Council’s responsibility. However, despite reminders from PPAA, owing to funding shortages, backlogs etc., this work has now been outstanding for some time.

Therefore PPAA intend shortly to use the services of an artisan waller to rebuild part of the wall with Llandaff Fields, where a quite large tree had fallen and damaged it.

It’s expected that all of the loose stone lying near to the wall will be required for this work.

However, PPAA Committee are aware that at least one plot holder had removed some of this stone to decorate a pond, although they’ve now kindly returned it, and PPAA Committee thank them for this. It’s understandable to a degree that someone could mistakenly believe that the stone isn’t needed, but that’s very much not the case, so could everyone please kindly not touch any of it – thanks all.

For the sake of avoiding any misunderstanding – engendered by inaccurate hearsay – we’d clarify that no one has been told by anyone that they can’t have a pond – quite the contrary – they’re very welcome for the wildlife that they support and for their pleasant appearance. Nor has anyone been told by any Committee member that their tenancy is threatened, nor that they’ve committed any offence in connection with this matter.

Another related matter is that there’s a temporary pile of plant matter – removed during plot clearance by PPAA volunteers – adjacent to the wall close by. Its removal and treatment involves significant expense and effort, and so all are reminded that we’re required to compost on our own plots or to remove from site our own such material, and that adding it to the said pile or to others would simply be fly tipping on Council property.

PPAA Committee

These were introduced in 2022, and are now part of the information on this website.

Council authorisation is needed for the construction of sheds, greenhouses, shelters, and so on, on plots. Under the Local Management Agreement PPAA Committee handle this. It’s immaterial whether the plot holder considers the structure to be temporary or permanent. The application form for this consent will be supplied on request from PPAA Committee.

It’s important that plot holders ascertain that their proposal conforms with these rules and obtain the necessary consent before incurring any expense, therefore.

PPAA Committee’s understanding is that these rules aren’t retrospective, and so structures authorised under the previous ones using the old form are unaffected by them.

We apologise for the delay in publishing this information, which is clearly of importance to many plot holders.

PPA Website Team