Month: June 2023

Site volunteers have now fitted low pressure, wide-bore seal nozzles to all the float valves on the troughs, and are happy to report that the filling rate has been improved on them all, often dramatically.

However, notwithstanding, there remained one trough which was still rather slow to fill, near to plot 86.

On investigation, it turned out that there were two buried stopcocks in the supply as well as the one above ground, and that one of these was the wrong way round. That is, the supply pressure would tend to press back the washer and shut off the flow. This was the problem, and it has now been resolved.

PPA Website Team.

Present:  Richard Masterman (Chair), Sue Jones, Dan Philips, Wendy Gunter (Treasurer), Robert Loxton, Martin Pasek

Apologies: None

Previous Minutes:

Meeting date 9^th May 2023: Approved. 

Matters arising from the Committee meeting to be addressed as the agenda.

Chair Report

Richard reported the AGM had taken place with 11 plot holders and 5 committee members present.

Site Representative 

• Council

Dan had attended the recent CAHA site representatives meeting and reported salient points as follows:

1. The Council are responding to anti-social behaviour. 
2. All allotments sites have reported thefts and vandalism.
3. The issue was discussed and it was confirmed that victims should be asked to report to the police via 101, including whether damage or theft. It would be helpful to also report to the PPAA Gmail account for info, so we can be aware of the scale and let Council’s allotment mailbox know.
4. The Council are prioritising tenants’ agreement for new plot holders before attending to Termination Notices. A revised schedule of plots indicating any that have recently been given up is not yet available.
5. The revised allotment IT system is still being progressed.

• PPA

As agenda 

Treasurer’s report

Wendy confirmed that the grant allocation notice had been received and payment would follow shortly.

Several £5.00 bank transfers had recently been received which presumably were for PPAA subscriptions. Wendy again requested that transfers are labelled with “Plot No” and “subs, shop, etc” to simplify accounting.

Site Security

Intruders had been seen on the site and sheds broken in to with items stolen.

This is a big problem for all allotment sites and other committees report worse problems than experienced at PPA. The Council suggest all incidents are reported to the police as noted above.

Stone Wall Repair

The contractor will return from holiday soon and a date will hopefully be agreed. 

Plot Re-inspections.

Plot inspections will commence from 26th June. The initial process is to record the condition of a poorly attended plot and issue a Letter of Concern.

Plot Vacancy/Letting and Structure Application

Sue advised that, since the last meeting, 4 plots have been let. Sue had welcomed new tenants to Plots 33a, 36a, 83b and 151a. There have been no applications to install a structure on a plot.

Sue noted that several new plot holders had not been able to progress cultivation and had released their plot. She agreed to action a 6-week trial period for prospective new plot holders so that they could get an idea of the work involved prior to committing to the Council Tenancy Contract.

Hedge trimming

Access down the main site road is impeded by the overhanging hedge and sycamore growth. The Committee agreed that sensitive trimming is necessary with due regard to wildlife. The cordless trimmer had been purchased specifically to reduce noise interference.

Three weeks’ notice is given to trim back growth to reduce nuisance to vehicles.

It was noted that large portions of the hedge are sycamore which is not a suitable component for a hedge for which a long-term plan is needed.

Skips and Waste Disposal

It had been raised at the AGM that periodic skips would be useful.

Plot holders are reminded that whilst disposal of their allotment waste is their principal responsibility, the Committee would consider options for assistance with non-compostable waste from the site. 

Off-site disposal of mixed waste is costly on all fronts and segregation of hard plastics, non-compostable material and glass would be looked in to.

The large, unofficial, accumulated pile of waste adjacent to Plot 48a is growing and encroaching on to usable land. Richard will investigate the removal of the heap by a Green Waste contractor noting that access for large machinery is difficult.

Plant Sale

Dan noted that the plant sale which took place on Sunday had been very successful and expressed thanks to all who contributed beforehand and on the day.

Any Other Business

It had been noted that the gates are sometimes closed but not effectively locked. Plot holders must ensure the gates are secure at all times, especially with the increased illegal activity.

Dan advised that he will step down from the committee but would continue with tasks as requested.

Date of next meeting

Committee: 19:00 Tuesday 4^th July 2023 at the poly tunnel.