Month: April 2024

Our thanks again go to the three plot holders who stepped forward to assist with this project.

It’s got off to a good start. Eight native British elder saplings have been planted in the soil bank, next to the composting toilet. They don’t look much at the moment, but the soil looks good, and we hope that they romp away.

At the next Committee meeting a decision as to how much to spend – on buying shrubs and trees – will probably be taken, and then it will become clearer as to how much of our magnificent volunteers’ effort will be needed over the coming months.

PPA Website Team

There’ve been a number of problems of late, stemming from some people’s beliefs being seemingly contrary to the title of this piece, and they’ve taken up a fair bit of volunteers’ time to settle.

If anyone has anything that they don’t want on their own plot, either temporarily or permanently, then this must be taken off site. Problems arise, when a plot holder believes that something that they want may be stored on another – apparently to them unoccupied – plot. When a new tenant say, is shown that plot, they are offered it as seen, and may reasonably assume the stored item(s) to come with it. A dispute can then arise with the plot holder who was clandestinely using it for storage, and this has happened several times recently. If the things are unwanted on the other hand, then this is simply another form of fly-tipping.

All plots are either tenanted, or being readied for re-letting by PPAA volunteers, or subject to a dispute, where the Council’s position is to end the tenancy, but the tenant is contesting the matter.

PPAA Committee understand that most plot holders are well aware of these facts, but in the light of recent events it was felt that a brief article on the subject would be timely.

PPA Website Team

Present:  Richard Masterman (Chair), Sue Jones, Martin Pasek, Mike Powell, Rhys Williams, Lewis Evans

Apologies:   Gordon Goldsmith, Wendy Gunter (Treasurer),

Previous Minutes:

Meeting date 5^th March 2024: Previously approved. 

Actions from previous meeting

Items to be addressed as the agenda.

Chair Report 

Items to be addressed as the agenda.

Site Representative 

• Council.

Emails received from Cardiff Parks confirm that the revised Allotment Record Management Strategy is not yet ready for circulation and implementation.

The Council intend to provide training for all allotment sites regarding data protection and the new strategy.

• PPAA

As agenda

Treasurer’s report

• Nothing to report.

Site Security

• The key access for the egress side of the north gate (Western Ave) has been modified to improve usability.
• A wildlife camera has been permanently located to monitor the south gate (polytunnel end of site).
• A second camera has been procured for a similar function at the north gate site entrance.

Community Gardens

• The proposed cooperation between the Community Gardens and Cardiff Salad Garden, CSG  has been approved by Cardiff Council and will go ahead. CSG have volunteers, who will assist with the maintenance of the allocated Garden plots. The Council have provided a new Community Tenancy form for the revised arrangement.  

Plot Inspections

• Sue has redrafted the letter, which plot holders may receive after the first annual review of unattended plots. The Council’s pro-forma wording remains, but with more background explanation. The Committee have discussed the revisions, and agree that the draft will be used for this year’s inspections.
• To comply with the Council’s procedures for non-cultivation, plot reviews will start week commencing 3^rd June 2024. It was noted that newly occupied plots would not be included.

Plot Vacancies, letting and structure applications.

• There are currently 4 vacant plots with new tenant viewings being arranged. 2 applications for a structure have been processed.

Shop

• It was noted that 200kg of seed potatoes had been procured and distributed. All have now been sold. A few onion sets and garlic bulbs remain.

Plant Sale

• A plot holder has commenced sowing seeds in the polytunnel for a plant sale and is seeking assistance from other plot holders with propagating. Plot holders are encouraged to contribute any surplus seeds and plantings they have. There are pots available on the benches by the polytunnel which are free to use for this purpose.
• Anyone interested in helping with this very popular event is asked to email the Committee in the first instance. 

Pollinator and wildlife habitats

• A small group of plot holders have recently met with Emma Morgan a Local Nature Partnership Community Ranger, Cardiff Parks Dept., for a Biodiversity Workshop. In conjunction with this, an article was published on the PPAA website, suggesting planting some of the common areas with wildlife friendly flowering shrubs. Unfortunately, this article has apparently only generated limited interest among plot holders, and no one has so far offered any assistance.
• A concern has also been raised with Parks Department about maintenance of perimeter borders and a meeting, to be arranged by Parks Dept. with other appropriate parties is awaited. 

Update: Since this Committee meeting, three plot holders have very kindly offered to assist with the above plantings.

Any Other Business

• The 2024 AGM has been rearranged for 11:00 Sunday 2^nd June 2024. This will facilitate the availability of auditable accounts.

Date of next meetings

19:00 Tuesday 7^th May 2024 at Butcher’s Arms Canton.