Present: Sue Jones (Acting Chair), Wendy Gunter (Treasurer), Mike Powell, Rhys Williams, Jane Davies, Martin Pasek, Keith Ball, Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, Gordon Goldsmith
Apologies: Lewis Evans
The meeting opened at 19:00.
Previous Minutes:
Matters covered below.
Chairman’s Report:
Covered below.
Site Secretary’s report (shared role):
Sue reported there are currently five vacant plots. PPA welcomed eight new plot holders in June. Plot viewings are ongoing, as is some clearing work where needed. There have been two structure applications approved.
Work continues by the Parks Department towards a new computer management programme. The expected completion date of June has now passed, but with no new completion date yet provided. While this is ongoing all of the Cardiff Allotments waiting lists remain closed.
Fly-tipping:
Three related incidents of fly-tipping on the 22/6, 23/6, and 24/6 have been reported to the Police and to the Council Waste Enforcement Department, supported by CCTV images and by the accounts of two eye witnesses.
Treasurers Report: Wendy
The sum raised by the June plant sale has now reached £472.05 and the accompanying shop sale £194.50.
Our annual grant from the Council of £5085.29 has been received.
Plot Inspections: Mike
Between the 10th and 12th June the first plot inspections were carried out by a team of four. This resulted in thirty-six ‘Letters of Concern’ being issued. In response three potholders voluntarily ended their tenancies.
Fourteen days later the second inspection of the remaining thirty-three plots was carried out. Eighteen had improved significantly and the remaining fifteen were issued with a ‘Notice of Non Cultivation’.
The final inspections will take place 28 days after the second.
Going forward the Committee discussed starting the Plot Inspections process in March to fall in line with other Cardiff sites.
Trees:
Mike has carried out a tree survey of the site. He identified four dead or dying large trees on the sites boundaries. Mike to follow up with the council.
Twenty-nine trees were noted on plots which required major effort to bring into line with the Council’s rules on trees. Lewis Evans had asked in his absence for there to be a discussion about legacy trees, and help with management. Gordon suggested a five year plan. Mike and Rhys to progress.
Allotments Fees and Charges, And Conditions Of Tenancy Working Group Meetings:
Martin attended the first workshop. Jon Maidment Head of Parks chaired the workshop which was attended by two other council officials and five representatives from various Cardiff Allotment sites, National Allotments Society and CAHA. This was the first of four proposed meetings, it’s aim being to focus on desirable revisions to the tenancy agreement.
As a result of discussions at this meeting Martin proposed a motion to the PPAA Committee, to enable him to represent a consensus view in response to particular proposals at the next meeting.
The motion was – ‘This Committee believes that its main purpose is the promotion of the use of PPA’s allotments as defined by the Allotments Act 1922’*
The PPA Committee was unanimous in passing the motion.
AOB:
Rhys commented on the success of the wildlife cameras in capturing antisocial behaviour.
Wendy mentioned plot holders wanted to know about wood chip deliveries. Discussion resulted re the seasonal nature of supply and quality of wood chip.
Jane wanted to be assured that all emails received on the PPAA email are answered, when an answer is required. She was assured that they were.
Nerys raised hedgehog ‘highways’ and will report back. Ponds on plots not having a means of exit eg a ramp, for wildlife if they fall in was mentioned as a concern.
There being no further business, the meeting ended at 2025.
The PPAA Committee meetings are regularly scheduled for the first Tuesday in the month, but it was agreed to not meet in August to allow for holidays, therefore the next meeting will be Tuesday 3rd September 2024 at 1900, at the Butcher’s Arms, Canton.
*”For the purposes of this Act, where the context permits—
The expression “allotment garden” means an allotment not exceeding forty poles in extent which is wholly or mainly cultivated by the occupier for the production of vegetable or fruit crops for consumption by himself or his family”
