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During last night (24/25 10 26) thieves entered PPA, evidently carrying powerful and versatile cutting equipment.

They broke into the – hitherto resistant to entry attempts – green shipping container and also the shop. Expensive items were taken. We understand that the WA gate was left ajar, but by the time that PPAA volunteers arrived it was locked again.

We would very much like to hear from anyone who used the Western Avenue end entrance early this (Sunday) morning (before 0730, by which time the gate had been properly locked) and especially the condition in which they found the gate. That is, whether it had been forced (mortice bolt still extended) or opened by key (mortice bolt retracted into lock case).

The PPAA structures have been made secure, at least against casual intruders, but plot holders may wish to check their own plots and possessions for any loss.

PPA Website Team for PPAA Committee

There’s a likelihood of gales toward the end of the week.

Would all plot holders therefore please:

• Make sure that all structures are made capable of withstanding this.
• Secure any materials which might otherwise be blown about the site. (E.g. by putting stones on polythene etc.)
• Recognise that if they’re unfortunate enough to have unwanted items or materials blown onto their plot from elsewhere, and the source can’t be identified, then it is their responsibility to dispose of them off site. (This is just an ordinary part of allotment life.) Dumping them anywhere on site would be as much fly tipping as if the original owner had done this.
• Branches brought down e.g. from the Council park onto plots will, on the other hand, be dealt with where feasible by PPAA Committee volunteers. (Allotments are, we understand, low priority for the attention of Council workers in such matters, and so delays are otherwise to be expected.)

PPA Website Team

These joint efforts so far have been very productive, and so PPAA Committee extend their heartfelt gratitude to the now-growing number of generous people who have given their very valuable time to this essential work – clearing overgrown vacated plots – to keep our site fully tenanted and buzzing.

There’s still plenty to do, naturally, and so there’ll be another get-together this Saturday, 3rd October. We’ll meet up either in the Western Avenue end car park at 1030 again, or catch up at plot 113a (see plan here).

Please contact if you’re able to join in.

Many thanks again.

Mike Powell

Site Representative, PPAA

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

PPAA Committee are deeply indebted to the kind people who have given their very valuable time to this essential work – clearing overgrown vacated plots – to keep our site properly tenanted and thriving.

Of course, it’s ongoing as ever, and so there will be another gathering this Saturday, 26th September. Meet up either in the Western Avenue end car park at 1030, or catch up at plot 111a (see plan here).

Please contact if you’re able to join in.

Many thanks again.

Mike Powell

Site Representative, PPAA

Please note the information on this map, if considering coming to PPA by motor vehicle:

Further details can be found here.

From Mike Powell,

PPAA Site Representative

Our attention’s been drawn to this page of the Council’s website.

It clarifies and explains some confusing aspects of the process, e.g. the procedure in the case of joint or multiple tenancies, and is very helpful.

Our thanks go to plot holder Louise Shenstone for flagging this to the Committee.

PPA Website Team

Everyone – particularly drivers – are advised that contractors Malcolm Thomas Ltd. will be on site reinstating the tarmac from their work of a few years ago, which the Council didn’t cover on that occasion. PPAA Committee have decided to fund this work themselves, and were very pleased with a quote of only £250 plus VAT.

Drivers are advised not to attempt to drive down this track until the work is finished, as even if it were open, their vehicles may be trapped if it were to begin after this time.

Update: the work is now complete and the tarmac reinstated at the necessary points.

PPA Website Team

There are a number of issues with the new Tenancy Agreements being sent out by Cardiff Council, that multiple plot holders have raised with the PPAA Committee:

• In the case of existing joint or multiple 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 but without the cost being known. 
• The process makes the use of the Welsh language difficult. The legality of this is questionable.

A Tenancy Agreement is between the plot holder and the Council, and the PPAA Committee are not involved in its implementation. All queries and amendments regarding the new Tenancy Agreement should be therefore sent to the Council at Allotments@cardiff.gov.uk and not to PPAA Committee, who will shortly be making their own representations to the Council on these and related points.

Mike Powell, PPAA Site Representative

*Update: it’s been found, that after the first tenant invited to sign has done so, a further email is sent to the joint tenant to do so too (assuming that the Council have an address.)

The Council’s website clarifies some of the confusion engendered by initial engagement with the system.

Admin

As we enter peak wasp season, but also meet activity from other wildlife, it’s perhaps timely to remind all of the existence of this website page: Wasps, rats, other pests, and beneficial visitors e.g. bees. It explains what to do if a problem should arise.

Admin