Minutes
Present: Richard Masterman (Chair), Sue Jones, Dan Philips, Wendy Gunter (Treasurer)
Apologies: None
It is with great sadness that the Committee noted the unexpected passing of committee member Alan Coombs. He was universally popular and his contribution to committee and the well-being of the allotment was exemplary. The Committee have passed on their condolences to Alan’s family.
Previous Minutes:
Meeting date 13th March 20023: Approved.
Items arising not covered by the agenda:
• The main trolley has been fitted with new side panels and two new solid tyres. The remaining pneumatic tyres will be replaced shortly.
• The water troughs had been inspected and various repair works to float valves, stop cocks and above ground pipework have been carried out by a volunteer for which the committee offer their thanks.
Other matters arising from the Committee meeting to be addressed as the agenda.
Chair Report
Committee meetings have for a while taken place via a family member’s Zoom account at no cost. Richard reported that aPPAA Zoom Pro account which would allow uninterrupted meetings longer than 40 minutes would cost ≈£120.00/annum. This was considered un-necessary and face-to-face meetings could resume. Other electronic platforms would also be investigated.
Site Representative
Council
Several emails had been received concerning a plot holder at a different site who wanted to move but had been advised that nothing was available at PPA which suited his requirement for a very large plot.
PPA
Covered by agenda items.
Treasurer’s report
Wendy reported that 2022-2023 accounts were nearly complete and would be submitted for audit verification shortly, hopefully to be approved by end-April 2023.
Website and Email Management
There was general discussion around the issue of information to plot holders via the various platforms currently in use.
• All official business will be posted on our website at: https://pontcannapaa.com
The website will also contain other useful documents and notices.
• If a plot holder wants to contact the Committee, they should send an e-mail and a committee member will respond.
• It was noted that the Facebook account is not the official method to communicate or disseminate information as many plot holders do not engage with FB. Further discussion and expansion of guidance to be continued with regard to the use of the FB platform and payment of PPAA subs.
Termination Notice Requests
Following last summer’s tidy-up five notices had been requested. All further actions are now with the Council.
Plot Re-inspections.
The considerable improvements to the site and the enthusiastic approach of new plot holders were welcomed.
The Committee agreed that the continued cultivation of plots would regularly be reviewed in line with Council requirements as spring/summer work should now be progressing in earnest.
Plot Vacancy/Letting and Structure Application
Sue advised that there are currently 2 vacant plots and there have been 12 applications to install a structure on a plot, 8 of which have been approved with 4 pending.
There are no brick cubicles available although 2No appear to be occupied and locked without formal agreement with the Council.
Wildlife Habitat
Richard advised that he had been in contact with the Allotment Officer who had provided the name of the Council’s Conservation Officer who could be consulted with regard to the development of a winter work programme for hedgerow and wild area management. This would be developed to be sympathetic to wildlife and to comply with the conditions of the Local Management Agreement which the Committee is bound by.
Harmful Substances and Plants
A packet of un-damaged rat poison had been reported. This follows the recent sighting of rodents and visit to site by Council environmental control officers. It is assumed that the poison was inadvertently left at this visit.
The naturally occurring plant Lords and Ladies Arum maculatum is present on site. All parts of the plant can cause skin irritation and contact without gloves should be avoided.
Stone Wall Repair
Work to recover fallen stones and repairs will commence shortly.
Poly Tunnel
The construction of new grow beds filled with high grade compost had been completed. Dan and volunteers were thanked for their effort especially as the 8 tonnes of compost had been obtained without cost and the surplus had been put to good use around the site. This source of large quantities of compost might be of interest to the Community Gardens.
Plant Sale
Dan advised that he had started planting seeds and encouraged plot holders who have the facilities to sow seeds for their own plot to over-sow and donate to the plant sale.
Date provisionally set for 4th June 2023 although items could be sold on a rolling schedule depending on availability.
AGM
Date for AGM set for 11:00 Sunday 21st May 2023 on site at the poly tunnel.
Any Other Business
Nothing further to report.
Date of next meeting
19:00 Tuesday 9th May 2023 by Zoom.
Raised Bed Frames To Give Away
There will be – we hope in the not too distant future – a delivery of these to site. We understand that they will be left on the hard standing by the poly tunnel. Could those taking them please kindly restrict themselves to a maximum of two, so that several plot holders can benefit.
PPA Website Team
Pontcanna Permanent Allotments 