Minutes for PPAA Committee Meeting held on 7th November 2023 at The Butchers Arms Canton

A Place To Grow Your Own

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

Apologies:  Lewis Evans, Gordon Goldsmith

Previous Minutes:

Meeting date 17th October 2023: Previously approved. 

Actions from previous meeting

  • No reply received from the Council regarding email 18 October and Road 3 safety hazard.
  • Dave King thanked the Committee for acknowledging Cardiff Rivers effort in recovering the trolley from the Taff.
  • No reply received from Richard/Mike’s enquiry to other sites regarding Risk Assessments.
  • Mike had reported the suspect Ash tree near the composting toilet to the Council who had acknowledged receipt of the report.

Other items to be addressed as the agenda.

Chair Report 

  • Items to be addressed as the agenda.

Site Representative 

  • Council.

The next Council meeting with site representatives to be 15th November. Richard to attend.

  • PPAA

As agenda

Treasurer’s report

Wendy reviewed a number of planned expenditure items which are covered below.

Site Security

  • Richard is awaiting a Risk Assessment from the contractor regarding extra security measures for the bottom [southeast] gate.
  • A wildlife camera trap has been obtained and will be set up shortly.

Waste heap and shed debris removal

  • The shed debris next to Plot 2 has been removed.
  • The contractor to remove the large waste heap has been engaged and work should progress this week.

Road 3 culvert

  • A concerted effort has been made by Committee members and volunteers to clear the silt. Slip hazard warning signs have been installed.

Hedgehog boxes

  • Sue to contact a plot holder who has expressed an interest in assisting with assembling and locating the boxes. 
  • Martin suggested creating hedgehog under passes on the boundary fencing to assist with the wide range of hedgehog foraging. 

Plot Inspections

  • No response has been received from the Council regarding the plot termination referrals.

Plot Vacancies, letting and structure applications.

Sue reported the following movement since the last meeting:

  • All new tenancies in the 6-week probation period have now successfully been confirmed.
  • 2 vacant plots waiting viewings.
  • 1 application for a structure.

 Manure

  • Now delivered but future deliveries are not assured.

Poly tunnel allocations 2024

  • 6 grow beds will become available in February 2024 and the process of application and draw will begin in December.

Water trough water 

  • Mains water has been isolated for the winter. Plot holders in the vicinity of a trough are encouraged to carry out the simple task of cleaning out any settled dirt. To ensure the clean-up takes place volunteers are requested to contact the Committee via Gmail so a combined effort can be organised.

Shop

  • Seed potatoes and onion sets will soon be ordered for delivery in the New Year. A notice will be posted on the website giving details and inviting expressions of interest from plot holders.

Any Other Business

  • All plot holders should contact the Committee only via the PPAA Gmail.
  • Sue requested all Committee member email correspondence with Council departments be limited to the PPAA Gmail account so that accurate records can be kept. If desired, personal emails should only be used for preliminary discussions with contractors or suppliers. 

Date of next meeting

19:00 Tuesday 5th December 2023 at Butcher’s Arms Canton.