Minutes For PPAA Committee Meeting Held On Sept 5th 2023 At The Butcher’s Arms, Canton

A Place To Grow Your Own

Present:  Richard Masterman (Chair), Sue Jones, Wendy Gunter (Treasurer), Martin Pasek, Robert Loxton, Lewis Evans, Gordon Goldsmith

Apologies: Dan Hostler

Previous Minutes:

Meeting date 31st July 2023: Previously approved. 

Actions from previous meeting

Items to be addressed as the agenda.

Chair Report

  • The 4-wheel trolley has been recovered but now needs a little attention resulting from being dumped into the Taff. Thanks to Cardiff Rivers volunteers who helped and provided a trailer to return it to site.
  • The poly tunnel has been repaired. Thanks to John Morgan who assisted.

Site Representative 

  • Council. 

Meeting of Site Representatives held 16th August 2023. Salient points of discussion as follows:

  1. A specific query regarding antisocial behaviour or unwanted attention between plot holders was raised with the Allotment Officer and the Parks Community Safety Officer who stated that individual concerns should be addressed by the plot holder directly with the police for particularly serious matters or otherwise with the Council. Committees have no power or responsibility to intervene.
  2. Termination Notices issued by the Council will be copied to the associated committee.
  3. The updated Allotment Strategy might be issued this month.
  4. The Allotment Office has now got access to more detailed water bills for each site enabling better identification of leaks or excessive use.
  • PPA

As agenda 

Treasurer’s report

As agenda items

Site Security

Quotations will shortly be received for options to install camera monitoring of main access gates also to install a physical security deterrent to the top of each gate to make climbing more difficult.

Discussion took place regarding other potential vulnerable points in the perimeter fencing.

Sadly, the gates are still being left unlocked overnight which makes crime prevention difficult.

Plot Inspections

Rob and Richard will carry out final inspections of plots recently issued with a Notice of Non-cultivation (11 issued) on Thursday 7th Sept. If still no progress, then the plot will be referred to The Allotment Office for action.

The whole procedure will be reviewed for introduction in 2024 season.

Plot Vacancies, letting and structure applications.

Sue reported the following movement since the last meeting:

5 new tenants

2 tenants requesting to relocate.

1 prospective tenant has declined to continue and 1 considering waiting a while longer.

2 vacant plots waiting viewings. 

Waste disposal

Wendy advised that the contractor to remove the large waste heap hopes to start 14th Sept but he would not be be able to remove green waste.

Richard advised that he would be meeting a contractor this week regarding the removal of a pile of shed debris.

Manure

No further update regarding a delivery.

Poly tunnel allocations 2024

6 grow beds will become available in the New Year and the process of application and draw will begin shortly.

Shop

Richard is pursuing a Group Account with Thomson and Morgan which offers discounts up to 50% catalogue prices. If still available, autumn planting onion sets and garlic will be procured. Spring seed potatoes will be reserved.

Hedgehog boxes

Wendy has procured 4 units which will be positioned on site.

Tool replacement

Martin has identified suitable replacements.

Any Other Business

Nothing further to report

Date of next meeting

19:00 Tuesday 17th October 2023 at Butcher’s Arms Canton.