Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 26th January 2016

Moss Lea Allotment Society

Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on

Tuesday 26th January 2016, 8pm at Astley Bridge Cricket Club

Present

Steve Barlow, Steve Cowell, Andy Warburton, Gwen Kinloch, Phil Almond, Barry Ashton, Barrie Cryer, Steve Watson, Derek Eccles.

1. Apologies

Ray Hardcastle.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

Minutes of the last meeting held on 27th October 2015 were accepted as an accurate record.

3. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

4. Secretary's Report

Steve Barlow reported that the ABAS subs will be increasing from 50p to £1. However ABAS is proving to be an effective agency for raising issues with the Council on behalf of allotment sites, especially when individual societies have found getting problems resolved difficult. ABAS is growing in size and influence, with half of Bolton plot holders as members. They are also increasing the size of the show this year, which has been scheduled for 20th August at Trinity Church.

There was a meeting of the North West Allotment Forum, but no-one from Moss Lea was available to attend.

There has been no contact with the Council for several weeks. It has not been possible to get the approval of greenhouses onto committee agendas and there has been a plan to get the matter re-designated as a management matter. Malcolm Russell had said that there would be an answer by Christmas, but none has been forthcoming. Steve will send an e-mail to ABAS to request that they take up the matter with the Council.

The broken panes in the greenhouse have not been replaced yet, even though it was thought that the work was already with a contractor.

Plot 9 (half plot) is vacant, however there is no up to date waiting list available from the Council at present.

5. Site maintenance and Repairs

Photos have been circulated to show how to lock the gates so that no-one can gain access to the site by squeezing through the gap between the gates. The cable should be wrapped around twice to ensure the gates are tightly closed together before the padlock is fitted. It is requested that all plot holders follow this procedure when locking up to ensure the site is secure.

Can plot holders please not park on the loop road around the site as this causes an obstruction and prevents other cars from getting past. Stopping to unload is OK but all vehicles should be moved to the parking area after unloading.

6. Any Other Business

The insurance has been renewed for the year and we are covered to hold more than one event similar to the annual show. The insurers have, however made it clear that they expect a risk assessment to be carried out prior to events being held. It should be a simple process to record a risk assessment on paper for events.

The order from Maher's is due in and Andy Warburton collected orders from plot holders.

11. Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 23rd February 2016, 8pm at Astley Bridge Cricket Club.