Articles

Present: Tim Llewellyn; Dave King; Ray Edwards; Sue Jones; Martin Pasek; Gary Reed; Chris Springall; Frank Berry (RCG); Apologies: Dan Phillips; Alex Brown

Secretary’s duties. Some of the committee have been unable to spend the necessary time needed to monitor their allotted part of the site, to ensure that plots are being worked. This will hopefully be remedied by the next meeting. This item will remain as a standing agenda item until further notice (AP all).

Car park. Ray has obtained a quote for tarmac upgrade for the top car park, which was too expensive to consider. Dave will look into the possibility of applying for a grant (AP Dave).

Website. Our new website is now live, pontcannapaa.com. Alex will oversee the entries onto the site and is keen to hear from any plot holder who would like to contribute to the website. Frank said that Hannah is working on a note from the RCG. Dave will prepare a note about 2107 PPAA subs for the website and noticeboards.(AP RCG/Dave).

Plot numbering. Gary will prepare the plot numbers for Dave and Ray to display them on their areas of responsibility. Ian will be next to do his. (AP Gary/Ian/Ray/Dave).

Storage. Dave has sourced free of charge a 20ft by 7ft container which can be delivered to us, also free of charge. The best site for it is in the shop car park, but some ground clearance work is needed first. A working group will meet on Saturday 14th January to do this.(AP Dave/Ray/Sue/Martin).

Hedge. Concern was expressed about the recent severe hedge cut carried out by the Council. We were given no notice of this and would have counselled against such a heavy handed exercise. Sue will pursue with Celia and Ray will ask the Parks Dept about the authorisation process. (AP Sue/Ray).

LMA/ Insurance. Discussions are still ongoing with the Council about the level of grant that will be offered to us for this financial year. (AP Tim/Dave).

Resource Planning. Dave is working on a plan of how we are going to use our finances over the next few years to show the Council that we have recognised what needs to be done on site, and plan to pay for it. We will also welcome any ideas from plot holders. (AP all/Dave).

Riverside Community Garden. Frank produced copies of his C & G award in chainsaw and cross cutting skills. He and his RCG colleagues are willing to play their part in getting overgrown plots ready for cultivation.

Polytunnel. Ian and Tim looked at the polytunnel recently and agreed that there would be no space for more raised beds, as the spring plant sale would need enough space for seeding and potting on. Sue has prepared a note for display which will offer access to spare raised beds to plot holders, which Tim and Ian will QA. (AP Sue/Ian/Tim).

Viv Turner. Sue has been in touch with Viv’s son who expressed a wish to make a donation to PPAA in her memory. Some ideas were discussed and Sue will pursue with him. (AP Sue).

Date of next meeting – Tuesday 7 February, Butchers Arms, Canton.

Present: Tim Llewellyn; Ian Douglas; Ray Edwards; Alex Brown; Sue Jones; Martin Pasek; Gary Reed; Frank Berry (RCG); Hannah Ahmed (RCG); Gordon Clark (RCG) Apologies: Dave King; Dan Phillips.

Secretary’s duties. Some of the committee have been unable to spend the necessary time needed to monitor their allotted part of the site, to ensure that plots are being worked. This will be remedied by the next meeting. This will remain as a standing agenda item until further notice (AP all).

Car park/manure. Ray has made progress with a notice near the top car park suggesting the best parking arrangement for users. RCG are also interested in improving their parking arrangements. Ray will seek quotes. (AP Ray).

Website. Our new website is now live, pontcannapaa.com. Many thanks to Alex for this work, and he will oversee the entries onto the site. He asked the Riverside Community Garden (RCG) group if they would provide some detail of their work and the services on offer to our plot holders for inclusion on the site. Alex is willing to hear from any plot holder who would like to contribute to the website. (AP RCG).

Plot numbering. Tim has completed the numbering of plots on his patch. Ian will be next to do his. (AP Ian/all).

Strimming of plots. The committee would like to use the strimmer which Ian has bought recently. With storage in mind the best option would be to use Dave’s lock up, which now has room for it. Dave will get more keys cut. (AP Dave). Also we will consider purchasing a weedkiller sprayer.

Hedge. Concern was expressed about the recent severe hedge cut carried out by the Council. We were given no notice of this and would have counselled against such a heavy handed exercise. Sue will pursue with Celia and Ray will ask the Parks Dept about the authorisation process. (AP Sue/Ray).

LMA/ Insurance. Discussions are ongoing with the Council about the level of grant that will be offered to us for this financial year. (AP Tim/Dave).

Resource Planning. Dave suggested at the last meeting that we need to produce a plan of how we are going to use our finances over the next few years to show the Council that we have recognised what needs to be done onsite, and plan to pay for it. We will also welcome any ideas from plot holders. (AP all).

Riverside Community Garden. Frank, Hannah and Gordon attended the meeting with a view to forging closer links between PPAA and RCG. It was a positive exchange of ideas and they will send a representative to future committee meetings.

Polytunnel. For the next meeting it was agreed that we need to consider the effective use of the polytunnel for the future. Should we set up more raised beds, how to extend access to plot holders, etc. Ian and Tim will look at the position when the committee meets onsite on Sunday for the tree work party. (AP Ian/Tim).

Date of next meeting – Tuesday 10 January, Butchers Arms, Canton.

Present: Tim Llewellyn; Dave King; Ian Douglas; Dan Phillips; Sue Jones; Martin Pasek; Gary Reed.

Apologies: Ray Edwards; Alex Brown; Monica Nobrega; Harriet Williams.

Secretary’s duties. Some of the committee have been unable to spend the necessary time needed to monitor their allotted part of the site, to ensure that plots are being worked. This will be remedied by the next meeting. This will remain as a standing agenda item until further notice (AP all).

Car park/manure. Ray will put up a notice near the top car park suggesting the best parking arrangement for users. (AP Ray).

Website. Alex has put together a skeleton website which was discussed and agreed that it can go live without further delay. Tim will feedback to Alex with a view for early implementation. (AP Tim).

Plot numbering. Gary has prepared signs for Tim’s plot areas that can be used. Before the rest of the committee members identify the plots on their patch which are not numbered, Tim will endeavour to put them on the relevant plots and feedback at the next meeting on the most effective method. (AP Tim).

Strimming of plots. The committee would like to use the strimmer which Ian has bought recently. With storage in mind the best option would be to use Dave’s lock up, which now has room for it. Dave will get more keys cut. (AP Dave). Also we will consider purchasing a weedkiller sprayer.

Hedge. The committee would like to thank Anthony for cutting the spine road hedge this year.

Communal compost bins. These are proving to be a very useful additional facility for plot holders to use. However, the committee would like to remind everyone that the success of the scheme depends on their full cooperation e.g. do not put pernicious weeds (mares tail, couch and bindweed) into the mix as it will store up problems in future. Also, some plastic and glass products were discovered in one bin this week. [Update: please note that this arrangement has been discontinued in accordance with Council rules, and PPAA intend to remove all remaining compost in due course. Would all plot holders please deal with composting on their own plots or remove it from site as our Rules Of Tenancy require – thanks] 

LMA/ Insurance. Dave has taken on the responsibility for insurance premium renewals to cover PPAA’s employers’ (and third party) liability. This along with the 2015/16 accounts were presented to Celia Hart last week. Discussions are ongoing with the Council about the level of grant that will be offered to us for this financial year. (AP Tim/Dave).

Resource Planning. Dave suggested that we need to produce a plan of how we are going to use our finances over the next few years to show the Council that we have recognised what needs to be done onsite, and plan to pay for it. With this in mind we agreed that the committee will meet on Sunday 20 November to walk the site and list the jobs that need consideration. We will also welcome any ideas from plot holders. (AP all).

The bottom (shop) gate. The committee expressed its thanks to Martin for resolving the problem with the bottom gate. It has been noticed that this gate is sometimes left unlocked. Can all plot holders please remember that it is their responsibility to lock the gate on entry and departure. There is no excuse now that it is in full working order.

Riverside Community Garden. Sue mentioned that a plot holder has asked her for help on their allotment. As the RCG has been very helpful in the past it was agreed that Sue would discuss this with the RCG. On a wider basis the committee thought it would be good to build closer working arrangements with the RCG. Dave will be in touch with Isla Horton later this week and ask her to attend a future PPAA committee meeting. (AP Sue/Dave).

Polytunnel. For the next meeting it was agreed that we need to consider the effective use of the polytunnel for the future. Should we set up more raised beds, how to extend access to plot holders, etc. (AP all).

Date of next meeting – Wednesday 14 December, Butchers Arms, Canton.