Moss Lea Allotment Society
Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on
Tuesday 28th October 2014, 8 pm at Astley Bridge Cricket Club
Tuesday 28th October 2014, 8 pm at Astley Bridge Cricket Club
Present:
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Steve Barlow
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Steve Cowell
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Andy Warburton
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Gwen Kinloch
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Ray Hardcastle
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Phil Almond
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Barry Ashton
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Apologies: Steve Watson
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the meeting of 30th September 2014 were
accepted as a correct record.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.
1. Secretary’s Report
a)
Association
of Bolton Allotment Societies: A representative from the National
Association gave a presentation to ABAS.
The principal message was to keep vigilant about attempts by the Council
to sell off sites for housing. It has
been confirmed that Moss Lea is a statutory allotment site. The cost of joining the National is £90 pa
per Society. Individuals can also join
at a cost of a few pounds.
ABAS is concerned
about Bolton’s lack of financial support for Societies, apparently the only
Council not to do so. It was noted,
however, that whilst the Council may not make a contribution towards admin
costs, that the Society has to bear, it does meet other costs such as the water
bill (£40,000 for all allotments in 2013/14).
The Council is now
keeping a central log of all requests for maintenance and other assistance.
There have been
changes to non-cultivation procedures and a stage 1 warning can now be given
verbally as well as in writing.
Buddies are to be
advised to take out joint tenancy agreements to formalise claims to plots or
place their name on the Waiting List to show interested in taking over the plot
at a later date.
Society members
are being asked to join the ABAS committee.
The Bolton-wide
allotment judging will take place in June or July next year. The leek and onion show will take place in
September.
b) Monthly Return: The one breach of tenancy has moved to Stage 2.
c) Greenhouse Spaces: The one vacant space
has been let to Mr & Mrs Jones. A
list of all greenhouse space tenants has been sent to the Council.
d) Site Repair & Maintenance: The Council will send a contractor to
review the condition of the Amenity Hut doors and frames and will also consider
supplying drains for the Society to install in poorly drained plots.
e) Waiting List: There are currently 4
names on the waiting list.
f) Compost Area: Tenants are to be
reminded that only compostable material should be deposited in this area. Covers are sought for bays that are full to
allow them to rot down.
2. Greenhouses
Steve had circulated a voting paper asking members if tenants should be
allowed to construct a greenhouse on their plot. The results were counted by Barry and
Phil. Of the 27 responses 18 voted Yes
and 9 No. The outcome will be reported
to the Council, which has the final say on whether the current restrictions
should be lifted.
3. Web Site
Steve Richardson has created a
blog page for the Society. For more
information visit:
4. Insurance
The main discussion took place during the AGM but is reported here for
continuity purposes. Current insurance
cover is public liability for the Show.
It is proposed that cover be extended to Employer’s liability as this
would cover volunteers working on behalf of the Society. A third option would be to cover damage to
property and equipment and loss of trophies.
The policy currently costs the Society £68.90 pa. Option 2 would increase the cost to £159 and
option 3 to £265. It was agreed more
information was needed both on insurance and the responsibilities of the
Society and its individual members and the discussion will be continued at the
next meeting. It was noted that ABAS are
looking into Bolton-wide coverage and also discussing the matter with the
Council.
5. Web Site: Steve Richardson is looking
into setting up a web site for the society.
It would be used to post information about the site and society
business.
6. Any Other Business: There was no other
business
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