AGM 2009

Barnfield Road Allotment Association AGM

Sunday 22nd February 2009

Present
Phil Higginson Secretary
Robert Durn Chairman
25 members of the Association

1 Apologies Sam, Tony
2 AGM minutes 2008 read and approved
3 Secretary’s Report 2008-2009
The secretary was very sorry to report that three members had died during the year – Chris Delaney, Cyril Smith and Judith Brookes. They are very much missed.
· A wet summer but cultivation of the plots was very good.
· The council allotment office resigned. A new officer was appointed in October but the usual town allotment competition was disrupted with only one visit instead of two. Tony Cheesewright was the winner and narrowly missed being best in town. Well done to Tony.

· There are now over 50+ on the waiting list for plots.
· The monthly working party, which was an initiative of the last AGM, has been a great success. Many people who cannot attend on the first Sunday of the month do work at other times.

· A polytunnel has been erected with all the beds rented out.
· Tony Cheesewright won the pumpkin competition.
· The discount cards for Lomax and Brookside are no longer in use as Lomax has closed down and Brookside has been taken over. Golden Days offers 10% off, but you have to pay £10 to get a card in the first place.
· Committee meetings have been held regularly.
· The gates near the shop have had to be serviced at a cost of £10.
· The mains water has been turned off during the bad weather.
· A drainage trench is to be dug two feet deep with a sump to be made near the vinery.
· A leak from the water main near Yew Tree Road will be repaired when the drainage trench is excavated.

· A blog for the allotment has been made by Robert Durn. All comments, articles etc via the blog are welcome.
· A new road from the Yew Tree Road entrance has been established. The base has been laid and it will join the existing road at the turning circle.
· Compounds for leaves and manure are being made.
· An application has been made to the council to extend the site. The council development plan, which had identified the woodland in and around the site as a Green Corridor, initially looked as if it would stop expansion of the site. Phil is to address an area meeting of the council about the issue (Subsequently a meeting has been arranged with Amanda Evans, Allotment Development Officer, to pursue the matter further)
· There have been complaints from some neighbours about parking in the neighbouring streets which hopefully have been resolved.
· Updated tenancy agreements are to be issued to all existing tenants.
· Particular thanks to Neil, Trevor, Jack and Bob for all their extra work and support throughout the year.
· Report accepted

4. Accounts
· See attached The Association is £3665.68 in credit.
· There were been some one off costs for the servicing of the large machinery and maintenance of the gate locks.

5. Social Report
· The plant sale was again a great success. A temporary greenhouse has been established near the gas station to keep plants for the plant sale. The date for the sale this year is Saturday 23rd May.
· A scarecrow competition will be held at the plant sale.
· Last year’s barbeque was cancelled. This year it was decided that it should take place before the summer holidays on Sunday 28th June. Trevor made the point that last year the notices were not clear enough or put up in time.
· The pumpkin competition will be held again and judged on Sunday 4th October.
· A hot pot supper arranged by Trevor and Sally was held near bonfire night and was enjoyed by all. It will be held this year on Sunday 8th November

7. Election of Officers
The present committee was returned to office
· Chairman Robert Durn
· Secretary Phil Higginson
· Assistant Secretary David Knowles

· Committee members
Frank Mycock, Bill Arnold, Janice Jones, Neil Richards, Trevor Bramwell, Gillian Lomas
8. AOB

· Site rubbish. The council no longer provide a skip for rubbish free of charge. It was voted that we once every six months the working party will clear the site of rubbish and a skip will be hired to dispose of it. A skip will be arranged for the beginning of April. Next year a sum of £2 will be added to all the rents to pay for the skips, starting January 2010.

· Tenants need to be told not to bring things on to the site in the hope that others will find it useful.
· The tree near the toilet has been reported as being hollow. The tree inspector has examined it and reported that it is safe.

· New plot holders are not aware of all the things that take place around the allotment, where to get help etc. Wendy will make a welcome sheet that can be given to new tenants along with the updated tenancy agreement.

· A notice for the gate is needed with a contact number for the council for any queries.
· There is some concern that the allotment will have to pay a new water rate – the so called Rainfall Tax - for run-off water disposal. Ann will check what the issues may be.

· Vote of thanks to Phil and the committee for another great year.

· Meeting closed and members retired to the bar for a complementary drink.