Present: Mike Powell (Acting Chair), Wendy Gunter (Treasurer), Gordon Goldsmith, Martin Pasek, Sue Pasek (Acting Site Representative)
Apologies: Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, Lewis Evans, Rhys Williams
Jane Davies had informed the Acting Chair, by email, that she has resigned from the PPAA Committee.
The meeting opened at 19:00.
Matters arising from previous Minutes:
- “Clean Or Quits” 2025 – eight terminations were requested, however the Council failed to process, citing heavy workload.
- Plant Sale 2025 – raised £135.
- Red Brick Cubicles – still waiting on quote for works.
- Spine Road hedge works – works completed, 232 pyracanthas planted, bank seeded with grass.
Site Secretary’s report:
- Sue reported that she had let four plots during February, with another viewing booked. Eight more plots are currently vacant, four require work before being let.
- The Orkastrate system, rolled out by the Council to replace shared files for waiting lists etc, has so far failed to work reliably. It was agreed at the CAHA meeting in January to return the Orkastrate tablets until the app was made stable and the information updated. The tablets were duly returned at the Site Representatives’ meeting of February 11th. The Council have so far not supplied any alternative means of accessing lists so Site Representatives across Cardiff sites are left working from files last updated in 2024.
- There has been no further news from Cardiff Council re progress on the potential fly tipping case against the last tenant of plot 103a.
- The water supply to the site was turned on, Sunday 1/3/26.
Three troughs had significant leaks, two apparently from frost damage, one from interference/vandalism
The three troughs have been repaired, and all above ground pipework inspected. No further leaks were found.
With all the troughs full, the meter now turns at about one litre every three seconds. It therefore appears that the deduced underground leak has worsened, and at this rate would lose about £18,000 worth of water a year. The Council have been informed and reminded.
- Plant Sale 2026: two plot holders have volunteered to manage the growing of plants for the sale
- Criminal/vexatious behaviour has included an arson attack on one plot holder’s structure, and the repeated interference with another plot holder’s wood chippings on a shared pathway
- The annual poly tunnel draw has resulted in six new tenants for the period 2026-2028
- The Committee are now aware of at least forty plot holders, who have not received a bill for 2025-2026. Their names have been passed to the Council Income Retrieval department.
Treasurer’s report: Wendy
- Wendy confirmed that the funds were in a healthy state and welcomed any suggestion for works to make use of the monies.
- There has been a good response to plot holders paying their £5 PPAA full membership fee.
New Tenancy Agreement Progress: Sue
All plot holders will have received by now notice, and details of, the Council’s intention to issue everyone with new tenancy agreements in 2027. The Council have yet to decide the process of issuing these, but have confirmed that they will be responsible for collecting the new plot deposit that everyone will be expected to pay.
Tree Works: Mike
- Necessary tree safety work on the spine road was carried out by contractor, Andrew Webb, 27/11/2025, cost £660.
- Mike suggested that problematic trees on plots be identified during the forthcoming plot inspections, with follow up action in the autumn.
Vacant Plot Clearing: Mike
- Two plots had required substantial clearance works with the added cost of waste disposal.
- The Council have told all sites that the cost of any such works should be billed to the exiting plot holder, if they should fail to clear at the end of their tenancy.
AOB
Gordon enquired as to what what more could be done to improve site security, and a short discussion followed.
There was no further business and the meeting ended at 20:00.
The next PPAA Committee meeting will be at 19:00 on Tuesday, April 7th, at The Cricketers Inn conference room, Cathedral Road, Cardiff.
