Present
Gordon Goldsmith (Chair), Mike Powell (Site Representative), Wendy Gunter (Treasurer), Sue Pasek, Martin Pasek, Lewis Evans, Adrian Peters, Nerys Lloyd-Pierce.
Apologies
Rhys Williams.
Matters arising from previous Minutes
Covered by the agenda.
Site Representative’s Report
- Cardiff Allotments Site Representatives met with Council officials on 12th August.
- Two corrections to the previous meeting’s minutes (13th May) were agreed, although the corrected minutes have not been published yet. The minutes of the August meeting have also yet to be published.
- No decision about what will happen to deposits under the New Tenancy when plots need clearing at the end of a tenancy has been made. It is far from certain that the money would come to the PPAA, although we would be responsible for the clear up.
- It was stated that where the Council has failed to invoice tenants this would not adversely affect the issue of the New Tenancy.
- There was no information about Clear or Quit terminations.
- Only trees assessed as “very dangerous” are being dealt with by the Council. It is unlikely therefore that any trees at PPA will be dealt with.
- Two plots have been cleared of rubbish and brush cut. There has been one rubbish pick up at a cost of £300. Another waste pick up is expected later this week. There is a work party planned for Saturday 26th September at 10.30am, and to be posted on the PPA website (Martin).
- Two plot viewings are scheduled, with nine vacant plots. Three more plots are also scheduled for release.
- There are a hundred and eighty-five on the Waiting List, and so it is closed.
- Orkastrate continues to have incorrect information about PPAA plots etc., despite emails sent updating details to the Council.
- Tree work on Western Avenue boundary and elsewhere is due. Another “amnesty” for trees on plots and the use of Andrew Webb again was agreed.
Treasurer’s Report
- Wendy reported that PPAA finances remains healthy.
- £4,122 has been spent in this financial year, mostly on plot clearing, site maintenance, and removal of rubbish from vacant plots.
Issues with manure from Cardiff Riding School
- Martin has looked into this issue extensively.
- Manure deliveries have sometimes been contaminated with shredded tyre rubber, which has been used as a base layer in the Riding School in both outdoor and indoor areas in the past.
- It is presently unclear whether further possible deliveries can be reliably rubber waste free or not.
- Mike will contact the Riding School to discuss these issues, and – if possible – to obtain clarification and assurance regarding future deliveries.
New Tenancy roll out
The PPAA Committee’s concerns regarding the roll out were sent by email to the Council on 25th August. The points of concern were as follows:
- In the case of existing joint tenancies only one person is named on the new tenancy document.
- The Date of Birth is left blank although the Council have date of birth information.
- No rent information is given. Also there is no concession information. Thus tenants are asked to sign a legal agreement without the cost being known.
- The process makes the use of the Welsh language difficult. The legality of this is questionable.
No response has as yet been received.
Additionally:
- Nine emails regarding tenant specific queries (mostly lack of a tenancy document) have been sent to the Council since last meeting. No response has as yet been received.
- An update on progress was sent from the Council on 15th September, and forwarded to all Committee members: across Cardiff 56% of tenants have so far signed up. A further update has been promised by tomorrow (23rd) detailing all outstanding tenancies and the reasons for them.
Any Other Business
- Adrian raised a possible Keep Wales Tidy grant of fifteen fruit trees. However, as suitable space for this number on the site margins is not available it was decided not to proceed.
- Adrian will look into the dividing of a plot into several individual starter beds, to introduce certain newcomers to gardening on the waiting list to allotment growing.
- Gordon will look into the installing of bat boxes for the site.
- Gordon will also source bulbs for planting on margins. Nerys and Adrian are to work with Gordon on this. Plot 50B, which is not lettable as a plot per se is also being considered as available for bulb planting.
Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday, 3rd November, 1900, at the Cricketers Inn upstairs meeting room, Cathedral Road, Cardiff
Mike Powell,
PPAA Site Representative
